THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prisoner can soon see their relatives over a video call. A prisoner can avail this facility once every 15 days for five minutes. Each session will be charged Rs.5 from their labour fees. Maharashtra had implemented a similar project last year. The Prisons Department has shown the green light for this project.

Central Home Ministry has granted Rs 1.7 crores for the implementation of this facility. The video calling can be arranged through the E-Prisons software developed by the National Informatics Centre. Computers, camera and internet connection will be made available in prisons. The call will be made in the presence of the jail officer.

Jails already use BSNL’s high-speed internet for video conferencing with courts. The government has set aside Rs 1.9 crores for connectivity. 53 jails including three central jails and district jails will have the video calling facility soon. There are a total of 7500 prisoners in these jails. 87 studios will be built across 53 jails. Remand extension and issue of warrants will be made online. The prisoners can send their complaints to magistrate online as well.