The 2G cellular network was rarely in use following telecom revolution in India, but Odisha prisons were continuing to use 2G cell phone jammers those failed to block 3G signals, says Comptroller and Auditor General of India which pointed out glaring prison security lapses in its latest report which was tabled in Odisha Assembly on Thursday.
“The home department decided in 2008-09 to install cell phone jammers in five jails. The 2G cell phone jammer was installed in September 2011 and January 2012 at a cost of ₹2.89 crore. In addition, ₹1.02 crore was spent towards their annual maintenance for the period November 2013 to September 2016. During the process of procurement, 3G cell phone jammers were available in the market,” CAG report says.
It points out, “in view of the continuous technical up-gradation of mobile phone technology, the Additional Director General (Prison) should have chosen the latest technology. The department, however, had not taken up the matter with Centre to obtain permission to procure 3G cell phone jammers.”
A CAG team had made a joint physical inspection in May 2017 in Balasore and Sambalpur jails. “It was experienced that the jammer failed to jam 3G and 4G signals. Thus, the 2G cell phone jammers installed in five jails failed to block 3G signals rendering the expenditure of ₹3.91 crore unfruitful,” it says.
During 2014-17, 21 prisoners managed to escape due to insufficient security.
“In 11 jails, 96 out of 234 rifles were unserviceable. No arms and ammunition was supplied to five jails. Out of 873 walkie-talkies purchased at a cost of ₹59.74 lakh, 257 were non-functional from the date of receipt,” the CAG says.
Prison authorities had installed door frame metal detectors at the entry gates of five jails at a cost of ₹2.52 lakh in February 2012. “None of the detectors was working since February 2014. Thus, prevention of carrying restricted metallic items into the prison could not be prevented, which would affect safety and security both within and outside the jails,” it said.
The CAG also raised the issue of welfare of children up to six years who were residing with their mothers.
“Odisha Jail Manual required that children up to six years of age could be admitted to prison with their prisoner mothers. Children born in prison might also be kept with their mothers up to six years of age. In 11 out of 16 jails, 34 children up to six years of age were staying with their mothers since last three years. Due to non-adoption of model prison manual, creche facility could not be created. The prison authorities responded that superintendents of all the jails had been instructed to establish crèche facilities,” it says.