Prisoners hiding handsets in body cavities, Punjab tells High Court

Saurabh Malik

Chandigarh, January 12

It may send alarm bells ringing, but the state of Punjab today informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court about the commonly deployed ingenious methods used by prisoners for smuggling cellphones and other prohibited items into the prisons, including hiding of handsets in body cavities.

Justice Pankaj Jain’s Bench was also told that artificial intelligence-based CCTV surveillance was now being implemented to counteract the tactics, as the prison system was grappling with overcrowding and staff shortages.

In a status report placed before Justice Jain’s Bench, Kumar Rahul, Secretary, Department of Jails, submitted that AI-based systems were being installed to modernise surveillance and generate real-time alerts for immediate recovery in case of contraband being thrown over the prison walls. The Punjab Police Housing Corporation was already in the process of executing the installation of the AI-based CCTV surveillance systems in the prisons.

Justice Jain was also told that the smuggling of handsets in personal belongings was another common techniques used by the prisoners while returning from court appearances, parole, police custody and medical treatment.

It was added that prisoners with the assistance of acquaintances and family during meetings were smuggling mobile phones. Conspiring with labour workers and contractors providing bulk supplies, such as vegetables and construction materials, was also identified as a common source.

Justice Jain was further informed that the throwing of cellphones over the prison perimeter was not an unknown practice to circumvent limitations as smuggling through body cavities and personal belongings usually allowed only one or two mobile phones inside the prison.

To counteract these methods, the Prison Department had also implemented traditional security measures, including enhancing the security of perimeter walls through the deployment of armed guards at watchtowers and conducting regular patrols between the main outer wall and inner wall.

As an additional measure under consideration, the proposal for the vertical installation of nylon mesh on steel towers up to a height of 20 meters at various perimeter locations was being explored. The measure aimed to prevent throwing of contraband from outside the prison walls.

It was added that the Prison Department was currently facing a significant challenge due to under-staffing and alarming overcrowding within its facilities, reaching an occupancy rate of 121 per cent. To alleviate the strain on existing staff, the department had sought approval to fill 186 vacant positions across various categories. The matter will now come up for further hearing on February 12.