Frequent jailbreaks: Punjab plans to set up separate prison intelligence wing

CHANDIGARH: In the wake of incidents of jailbreak and violence in jail, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on Thursday, called for measures to boost jail security, including artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV system, live wire fencing and creation of a separate prison intelligence wing.
The CM also approved a legislation to establish Punjab Prison Development Board in the ongoing budget session. Accepting the prison department’s proposal for live wire fencing (220/440 volts) along the outer walls of jails, the CM approved installation of artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV system in nine central jails, seven district jails and two special jails.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the functioning of the prisons department, Amarinder asked jail minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa to ensure that best practices of prison administration are followed across jails in Punjab. He directed the prisons department to submit a comprehensive plan for restructuring of jails within four weeks.
The CM asked ADGP (jails) Praveen Kumar Sinha to prepare a plan for restructuring, realignment and launch of new schemes encompassing correctional measures for reformation of prisoners, an official spokesperson said after the meeting.
To minimise expenditure involved in presenting undertrials in court, the CM sanctioned the department’s proposal for installation of video conferencing system in all jails. He also approved construction of a double barbed wire inner boundary wall and three additional watch towers, besides replacement of the outer boundary wall of Patiala central jail, which is in a dilapidated condition.
To ensure foolproof security through adequate staff, Amarinder approved filling of 305 posts of warders, in addition to 448 posts of warders and 28 posts of matrons lying vacant in the department. He asked the department to submit a proposal to fill these posts expeditiously and conceded to the department’s demand of 37 additional vehicles to augment mobility within the prisons.