According to the Prison Manual, inmates can make two phone calls of four minutes each every week.
Odisha to strengthen Prison security with AI surveillance: Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday chaired the fourth meeting of the Prison Development Board (PDB). Various issues, including modernisation of jail infrastructure and safety and security of inmates, were discussed in the meeting.
According to an official release, various new initiatives undertaken by the Prison Directorate during the last year to augment the security of prisons were discussed.
It was informed that an AI camera-based CCTV system with video analytics has already been installed in 20 jails. Steps have also been taken to increase the height of the perimeter walls with concertina wire and other security-related infrastructure projects. The use of modern security gadgets like drones, body-worn cameras, HHMD, DFMD, Deep Search Metal Detector, non-linear junction detector (for mobile phone), etc. was also discussed.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the establishment of prison intelligence units in jails and the engagement of more convict prisoners in Internal Security duties. According to the Prison Manual, inmates can make two phone calls of four minutes each every week. Periodic Security audit and surprise checks by Senior Prison Officers, District Police/ Intelligence Teams, and other regular visits by District Legal Aid Authority, District Judge and Judges of High Court were also discussed.
The Chief Secretary also directed stringent disciplinary action against all lapses and dereliction in duty. The meeting also discussed initiatives taken for better living conditions and reintegration of inmates into society on their release in the past year. The initiatives include introduction of dedicated Yoga trainers in jails, dedicated Mental Health Counselors, installation of 96 Micro Industry for keeping the inmates engaged in productive activities, special drive for Skill Upgradation and Vocational training, standardization and branding of Prison products, special Medicinal Plantation Project in Open Air Jail, Jamujhari, Special drive for ensuring filling of appeal petition in High Court and SLP in Supreme Court for the inmates, Special drive for apprehending all escaped prisoner and Parole/Furlough and jumpers since 2000, Special Educational drive for inmates.
The meeting also discussed infrastructure development, including construction of new Model Prisons in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Bhadrak, prisoners’ welfare and better living conditions like prisoners’ diet cost, night food, Pure and safe drinking water provision, prisoners’ wages, De-Addiction center inside the jail, establishment of a Mental Health institute at Choudwar Jail, Cuttack.
Other developmental aspects of Prison Administration, including enhancement of sanction strength of guarding staff, opening of more Open-Air Jails, were also discussed. The Prison Development Board committed to make Odisha’s prisons more secure, improve inmates facilities, and focus on their reform and rehabilitation.
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