To check entry of prohibited items like mobile phone and drugs into jails, the Punjab government has taken a slew of measures like installing X-ray machines, metal detectors and jammers, and heightening vigil.
State Minister for Jails Sarwan Singh Phillaur today said an extra contingent of 1,100 forces comprising ex-servicemen, home guards and police had already been deployed in jails, and it had resulted in heightened vigil and additional recovery of prohibited items from prisoners.
He said in December last, security personnel had seized 68 mobile phones and detected as many as 36 cases of drug smuggling in jails across the state.
The minister said the jail authorities had been asked to initiate strict action against officials found to be lax in their duty.
"X-ray machines and metal detectors are being installed on jail premises to stop entry of electronic gadgets like mobile phone," Phillaur said.
He said mobile phone jammers had already been installed in Nabha and Sangrur jails, and the facility would soon be set up in Gurdaspur jail.
The minister said his government was planning to install mobile phone jammers in all jails in the state. He said more funds would be provided to the jail authorities to provide better medical and security facilities.
To overcome the problem of overcrowding in jails, five new jails would be built in the state, he added.
