Open house: Who is to be blamed for involvement of jail security staff in drug smuggling?

Prison integrity undermined

The supply of narcotics in jail by a Home Guard jawan is breach of faith and serious dereliction of duty. Checking smuggling through visitors, parcels or drones remains a challenge, but it is the complicity of insiders that truly undermines the prison system. Guards and staff have direct access, authority and trust, which when misused makes contraband flow far easier. Such incidents expose weaknesses in recruitment, monitoring and accountability mechanisms within the set-up. Corruption, negligence and inadequate supervision create a fertile ground for misconduct, often driven by financial temptation or lack of strict deterrents. Unless the internal workforce remains disciplined and transparent, even the best external security checks cannot safeguard prison walls. Therefore, tackling the drug menace behind bars requires not only tighter checks on outsiders, but more importantly, stringent vetting, regular audits and firm action against compromised staff. The integrity of the prison system depends first on those who are guarding it.

Novin Christopher

New tech, security measures the answer

Despite increased vigilance, Punjab’s jails face a persistent crisis of contraband smuggling, largely driven by rampant drug addiction among inmates and the active collusion of prison staff with those involved in smuggling. A recent report exposed aHome Guard, who was arrested while supplying drugs to inmates in Central Jail in Ludhiana. To combat the issue, authorities are implementing new technology and security measures, but these are often countered with novel smuggling methods and overcrowding challenges. In 2022, screening of inmates found that 47% of Punjab’s nearly 30,000 prisoners were addicted to drugs, with many developing their dependency while incarcerated. Approximately 42% of inmates in Punjab’s prisons are accused or convicted under the NDPS Act. Numerous reports detail the arrest of jail officials, including a DSP and assistant superintendents, for supplying drugs and mobile phones to inmates in exchange for money. Contraband is frequently thrown over jail walls, sometimes with the help of outside associates. With close to 36,000 inmates against a sanctioned capacity of 26,000, overcrowded prisons create greater security challenges and strain resources. To address this problem jail authorities have taken many steps like AI-based cameras being installed to detect and alert staff against suspicious activities. To counter the use of mobile phones, tower for harmonious call blocking system (T-HCBS) jammers are being deployed across multiple jails, including advanced 5G jammers. New equipment, such as full-body scanners, X-ray baggage scanners, and body-worn cameras for staff are being procured to tighten surveillance and entry point security check. Recruitment for additional guarding staff and administrative roles is underway to address staffing shortages. Regular surprise checks, enhanced frisking procedures and comprehensive reviews of employees’ conduct are being done to identify internal threats. Since 2022, the government has conducted statewide drug screening of inmates to identify those needing de-addiction treatment.

Sukhdev Sharma

Corrupt jail staff serious threat

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for supplying drugs inside a jail highlights that both external smuggling attempts and internal lapses and corruption among police personnel pose significant threat to prison integrity. While external smuggling attempts are a concern, with sophisticated methods being used to bypass security, internal corruption can be equally detrimental. Corrupt personnel can smuggle contraband, leak security protocols and even collaborate with inmates or external gangs, compromising the facility’s safety and order. In fact, studies suggest that some correctional officers engage in corruption due to financial incentives or personal relationships. To address this, prisons must adopt a zero-tolerance approach, implementing measures like increased oversight, regular audits, body cameras and anonymous reporting hotlines. By fostering a culture of integrity and accountability, prisons can mitigate the impact of corruption and ensure a safer environment for both staff and inmates.

Jaspreet Kaur

Physical frisking of staff mandatory

This is a complex and critical issue. The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for supplying drugs inside a jail highlights a problem and a vicious cycle where internal lapses and corruption are the primary enablers. The external threat is constant, but the internal corruption is the key that unlocks the door. There must be a proper check through physical frisking and CCTVs. The jail staff know the routines, blind spots, security protocols and surveillance locations. A corrupt insider can simply carry contraband through the front gate. Proper checking of staff should be there and if any staff member is found taking bribe then he must be punished. The prison staff must be paid handsome salary because relatively low pay and high-stress environment for many prison staff can make them more susceptible to bribery. Honest and dedicated officers must be appointed to check the practice of corruption as in some prisons a culture of corruption can become normal by turning a blind eye to it or participating in the act.

Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Threat to prison integrity

Prison integrity means maintaining a safe, just and humane environment within the premises. Rapid urbanisation, coupled with haphazard growth of residential and commercial units around the periphery of Punjab jails continue to pose a threat as the miscreants can easily toss packets containing the contrabands and mobile phones inside the premises. A jail warder was arrested for supplying drugs to jail inmates. In 2023, an investigation prompted by Punjab & Haryana High Court led to the arrest of 9 jail officials after more than 43,000 calls were made using two mobile phones from within the jail. Criminals get drugs and mobile phones in exchange for money from the cops deployed in jails. The Punjab Government should take stringent measures to enhance jail security. AI-based cameras should be installed across state’s prisons for 24x7 monitoring, daily activities and for flagging suspicious movements or gatherings inside the jail premises. High-security zones in Punjab jails must be sanitised immediately to ensure that no extortion or threatening calls are made by the prison inmates. To augment jail security, jammers and X-ray baggage scanners should be got installed. The government should focus not only on enforcement, but also on rehabilitation.

RS SEMBHI

Make Policy to identify root cause

It is a very complex problem because the real threat isn’t just drugs. Corrupt personnel can facilitate cellphone smuggling (allowing inmates to run criminal operations from inside), provide preferential treatment, warn inmates about searches or transfers and even participate in violence and intimidation within the jail. So these activities must be curbed. Jail personnel are a trusted part of the security apparatus. Internal personnel are a line of defence. Their corruption represents a catastrophic systemic failure. While internal failure is the critical vulnerability, external forces are to be equally blamed. Keep a tab on criminals having networks outside. A policy should be there to identify the root cause of this. A prison with honest and vigilant personnel can effectively defend against external smuggling attempts. They will detect drones, find thrown packages and meticulously check mail and supplies. Improving the working conditions, pay and mental health support of the prison staff to reduce vulnerability to corruption. Implement rotation of duties, surprise audits and a confidential system for reporting corrupt colleagues. Use technology transparently, such as body cameras for guards and AI-powered monitoring of staff and inmate communications. Strong and swift prosecution of corrupt officials too serves as a deterrent.

Farzana Khan

Direct assault on

rule of law

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for smuggling drugs into jail lays bare the most uncomfortable truth: The real threat to prison integrity comes not from outsiders, but from insiders who betray their duty. Smugglers can only succeed when the custodians themselves collude with them. Each compromised officer weakens the walls of justice and converts correctional spaces into breeding grounds of crime. This is not just an act of negligence — it is a direct assault on the rule of law. Mere vigilance at entry points will not suffice, the rot lies deeper. What is urgently needed is a strict system of recruitment, regular integrity checks, technological surveillance and swift, exemplary punishment for those found guilty. Prisons cannot be sanctuaries of reform if their gatekeepers become enablers of crime. Cleansing the system within is the only way to protect it from threats outside.

Sonampreet Singh

Surprise inspections, body cameras must

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for drug sale within a jail demonstrates that the most serious threat to prison security is inside corruption, not exterior smuggling. No external endeavour can be successful without internal complicity. To counter this, deployed troops must be put to high accountability and transparency standards. Regular worker turnover, surprise inspections and deployment of body cameras can help to deter dishonest behaviour. Furthermore, modern surveillance technologies such as biometric access, AI-enabled monitoring and extensive digital record-keeping of personnel movement should be implemented.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Govt should act promptly

The issue must be taken very seriously and the state government should act promptly and effectively. Prison security must be strengthened: Install more CCTV cameras, ensure surveillance in every block and keep strict watch on guards. Proper training, fair recruitment and regular drug testing of staff are essential. A special monitoring team should be deployed at every police station to review CCTV footage, check complaints and take rapid action. To prevent external smuggling, strict gate checks, permit systems and intelligence-based raids should be introduced. Clean governance, regular audits and staff rotation are important so that the same people do not stay in one post for too long and become part of corrupt practices. A public complaint portal and whistleblower protection should also be ensured. Finally, punishments and legal action against guilty staff must be swift and strict.

Ishpreet kaur

Such acts damage roots of nation

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for supplying drugs inside a jail is a serious threat to prison integrity. Deployed personnel are meant to safeguard inmates. Such corruption cases damage the roots of the nation. An honest and clean police system is the backbone of the country, and when it collapses, the future of the nation is at risk. Prisons are meant to be spaces of reform and discipline, yet these corrupt practices weaken their very purpose. With the advancement of technology, police services are improving, but at the same time criminals also find new ways to smuggle contraband. While external smuggling is a constant challenge, internal corruption within prison staff is far more dangerous. When those responsible for maintaining discipline themselves become part of criminal acts, public trust is broken and criminal networks inside jails grow stronger.

VEERPAL kAUR

Transparent recruitment must

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for supplying drugs inside a jail reveals that the core threat to prison integrity arises from internal lapses rather than external smuggling attempts. While outsiders may try to breach the system, such efforts succeed only when aided by corrupt or negligent personnel. A prison’s security is as strong as the integrity of its staff. When deployed officials misuse their authority, prisons cease to be centres of reform and instead become hubs of crime. To restore public trust, there must be strict monitoring, transparent recruitment and regular audits of prison staff.

Harneet kaur

Low wages make

them vulnerable

Prisons are meant for discipline, deterrence and rehabilitation. The recent incident of a Home Guard jawan caught supplying drugs has raised serious questions about the real threats to prison integrity. The true danger lies not only in external smuggling attempts, but more in internal lapses and corruption among deployed personnel, because external smuggling alone cannot succeed without internal collusion. The staff entrusted with maintaining discipline often face poor working conditions, low wages, large family responsibilities and lack of accountability. These vulnerabilities make them easy targets for bribes or intimidation. Once a few personnel are compromised, even the strongest security infrastructure collapse.

Puneetpal Kaur

Make rules

more strict

If prison employees themselves are involved in bringing in drugs, security measures become ineffective. Strict action should be taken against drugs smuggled from outside. The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan has proven what the country will be like if the staff themselves get involved in drug trafficking. The government should make stricter rules to check this menace. The real danger is from those staff members who bring in drugs for money or greed. When prison employees get involved in drugs, it increases corruption. Cameras should be installed in every corner so that any inmate carrying drugs could be caught.

Prabhjot Kaur

Strict punishment

for corrupt staff

Recently, a Home Guard jawan was arrested for supplying drugs inside a jail. This incident has raised an important question: What is the real threat to our prison system? Is it the constant attempts of external smugglers to sneak in banned items, or is it the corruption and negligence among the very people deployed to maintain order? Prisons are meant to be correctional facilities, but when drugs and other illegal items find their way inside, the entire purpose is defeated. Smuggling from outside is a serious issue, but it can only succeed when there is internal support. Weak security checks, bribery and lack of accountability make prisons vulnerable. To address this, strong monitoring systems, frequent surprise checks and strict punishment for corrupt staff are necessary. Technology like body scanners and CCTV surveillance should be used effectively. More importantly, a culture of honesty and responsibility must be built among prison staff. The safety and integrity of prisons depend not only on stopping external smuggling, but also on eliminating corruption within. Only then can prisons truly serve as centres for reform and not hubs of illegal activity.

JASMEET KAUR

internal lapses are Real threat

The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan for supplying drugs inside a jail underscores the fact that the real threat to prison integrity is not just from external smuggling attempts, but largely from internal lapses and corruption among deployed personnel. While external smuggling methods — like visitors, parcels or hidden consignments — pose a danger, these attempts often succeed only when facilitated by insiders, who exploit their access and authority. A single compromised staff member can undo strict security protocols, making internal corruption the bigger challenge. Strengthening accountability, conducting surprise checks, rotating staff and enforcing strict disciplinary measures are essential to safeguard prison integrity.

Prabhjot Singh Khalsa ji

Corruption spread

to higher levels

The supply of drugs in jails, such as in the recent case of a Home Guard jawan who was caught supplying drugs inside, has become a serious threat to prison integrity. This problem mainly arises due to the involvement of insiders and widespread corruption among jail staff. Corruption has spread to the higher levels of government management. Many corrupt officers take money from smugglers and allow the illegal trade, which destroys the entire system. The government must take strict and immediate action to control corruption and punish those officers who are supporting illegal activities.

Navneet Singh

Zero tolerance

for corruption

The recent arrest raises a very important question whether prisons are really threatened more by outsiders trying to smuggle in drugs or by the very people responsible for maintaining order inside. While external smuggling attempts will always be a concern, the bigger danger comes from lapses and corruption among prison staff. When those entrusted with the safety and discipline of jail inmates turn into facilitators of crime, the system’s credibility is shaken. This is not just a failure of duty, but also a breach of trust. To tackle this, prisons need stronger internal monitoring, regular staff rotation and strict action against those found guilty. At the same time, investing in technology like scanners and CCTV, digital locks can reduce opportunities for misuse. Ultimately, safeguarding prison integrity requires honest staff, transparent systems and zero tolerance for corruption.

Anshpreet Kaur

Drug menace should be checked

Before achieving anything in life, it is essential to first become a good human being. A good person thinks a thousand times before committing a wrong act, which unfortunately has become rare in today’s time. Nowadays, pretence, lies and deceit dominate society, and the root cause of much of this is corruption. Drugs make this situation even worse. A person addicted to drugs can go to any extent to obtain these, and many who fall prey to addiction perpetuate its spread. If this menace is not controlled, our society will face dangerous consequences in the future.

Jatinder kaur

Govt should focus on regular checkings

It feels that the real risk comes from inside when people in uniform themselves get involved in wrongdoings. Prisons are meant to reform people, not to destroy them further with drugs. If the staff themselves take part in such acts, how can we expect inmates to change? This is not just one person’s fault, it shows how corruption and carelessness can eat up the whole system. I feel our government must focus more on honest monitoring of jail staff, regular checks and giving them fair treatment, so that they are not tempted. Only then can prisons truly become places of discipline and hope.

Avleen Kaur

Conduct background checks, inspections

While external smuggling attempts into prisons are a persistent concern, the real threat to prison integrity often stems from internal lapses and corruption among staff. The recent arrest of a Home Guard jawan in Ludhiana for supplying drugs inside the jail highlights how insiders, tempted by financial gains or under external pressure, can compromise security. Such incidents are not isolated, multiple prison personnel have reportedly facilitated the smuggling of banned items in exchange for money. Strengthening background checks, conducting regular inspections, restricting unmonitored staff access and fostering a culture of accountability are crucial steps in curbing this menace. Ultimately, while vigilant measures are needed to stop external smuggling, addressing internal corruption is key to maintaining prison integrity.

Tanu Kumari

QUESTION for next week

When shopkeepers and vendors encroach upon public roads during the festival season, who bears greater responsibility for the resulting chaos—individual vendors or the authorities meant to regulate them?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (September 25)