Recovery up after BSF officers posted in prisons

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, October 15

The initiative of the Prisons Department to depute Border Security Force (BSF) officials on deputation as jail superintendents seems to be paying dividends as more than 150 mobile phones have been recovered within a short span from the Ferozepur Central Jail.

In the last three days, 12 such cases have come to the fore where inmates were found in possession of mobile phones. Seven cell phones were recovered from barrack number five of the jail. On October 12, three mobile phones along with intoxicatig material were recovered. Earlier, on September 28, a mobile phone was recovered from an undertrial. More than 300 mobile phones have been recovered this year so far. Last year, the number was 122.

Ferozepur Central Jail Superintendent Surinder Singh, who recently came on deputation from the BSF, said he wanted to convert the jail into a ‘mobile free’ and ‘disciplined’ prison. “I have been given the task to ensure discipline in jail. Nobody will be allowed to take law into their hands,” said Surinder.

In July this year, the state government had decided to depute officers from the BSF as jail superintendents in Ferozepur, Amritsar, Gursaspur and Faridkot. The step was taken as most of the police officers were reluctant to come on deputation with the Prisons Department.

The Ferozepur Central Jail is adjacent to a residential area, which makes it easy for miscreants to throw mobile phones inside the jail premises.

The jail superintendent said, “Security of the residential area is being looked after by the Punjab Police. Internal security is being managed by PESCO and jail wardens. Due to stringent checking, there has been a rise in recoveries of mobile phones and intoxicating items.”