In order to strengthen security at various prisons in Punjab, state government today decided to maintain computerised records of visitors.
Directives in this regard have been sent to jail superintendents, said Punjab's Jail Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur.
The government is trying to get security personnel from other states or central para-military forces for securing the outer ring of jail premises, he said.
For securing the inner ring and restricting inmates from mingling with security personnel, about 700 ex-servicemen from the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO) would be deployed at an annual estimated cost of Rs 8 crore, the Minister said.
Taking serious note of allegations that drugs and mobile phones were finding way inside the jails, Phillaur said X-ray machines, scanners and sniffer dogs would also be used to monitor visitors' entry.
District Magistrates have also been asked to check visitor's records for discrepancies, he said.
Phillaur said the capacity of drug de-addiction centres would be enhanced and other facilities like psychiatric care and counselling services would also be incorporated.
The new jail at Nabha near Patiala, with a capacity of 500 inmates, would be equipped with a "drug de-addiction prison" where addicts from other jails in Faridkot, Ferozepur, Mansa, Bhatinda etc would be admitted.
"The aim is to improve mental and physical conditions of these prisoners so that they can lead a healthy life even while being lodged in jail," Phillaur added.
