The department, which has been facing flak for poor security at prisons after a major jailbreak last year, said the initiative is being implemented in Pune's Yerwada prison on a trial basis.
With the news of Patiala jailbreak rocking the nation, the Maharashtra Home department on Monday issued directions to tie GPS-fitted bands around the wrist of 'high-security prisoners' whenever they step out of the prison, be it on parole or for court hearings.
The department, which has been facing flak for poor security at prisons after a major jailbreak last year, said the initiative is being implemented in Pune's Yerwada prison on a trial basis. According to Vijay Satbir Singh, Additional Home Secretary, Prisons department, the bands would be put in use very soon.
"We are also intensifying patrolling across all central jails and have ordered a special audit of the Prisons department. The process of procuring trained dog squads has also been initiated," he said. Sources claim that each of the band is expected to cost between Rs 6,000 to 7,000. The details of those inmates who need to be banded would be worked out by the DIG Prisons.
Also, to ensure that the night guards remain alert throughout the night, constables have been asked to take rounds around the prison on motorcycle. The department has hired chaiwallas to serve hot tea to night guards, so as to keep them fresh and vigilant.
Sources further said the department may also rework the parole and furlough rules yet again. The parole rules have been improvised twice in the last two years.
In last one year, the department has also collaborated with consultancy firm KPMG, Tata Institute of Social Science and an Israel-based company for overall upgradation of jail security.
Five inmates, accused of serious criminal offences, had made good their escape from Nagpur Central Jail last year. Mohhamad Shaoib Salim Khan, Bishan Singh Phuke and Satendra Gupta, all three accused of murder, escaped from the jail along with Akash Thakur and Prem Nepali accused of dacoity and robbery. The Nagpur jail houses several dreaded criminals and terrorists including Himayat Beg, an accused in German Bakery bomb blast and underworld don Arun Gawali.
The department again faced flak in April this year when rape convict Sajjad Mogul jumped parole. Mogul is still on the run.
GPS-fitted wrist/ankle band
The prisoner would be provided with an ankle/wrist band and a hand device which is equipped with a GPS monitoring system. This will alert the monitoring station if the prisoner goes outside the permitted area. Also if the device is tampered with or removed, the authorities will be alerted.
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