TCIL, telcom service providers given time to address network problem from jammers in Mangaluru and other prisons, says Alok Kumar

The Telecom Consultants India Limited (TCIL) and telecom service providers have been given time to address the internet network problems faced by those living in the vicinity of Mangaluru District Prison and other central prisons in the State, due to operation of jammers in jails, Director-General of Prisons Alok Kumar said here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters after his visit to Mangaluru prison, Mr. Kumar said he has been hearing about the network problems owing to jammers for the past 15 years. The TCIL, which has installed the jammers, has done recalibration of jammers, but still there were lacunae in their functioning. Tower Harmonic Call blocking system, which is used in prisons for blocking unauthorised mobile phone usage, is not working effectively in some prisons, he said.

“We held meeting with TCIL, Department of Telecom, BSNL and other service providers. We have given them time to work out a solution.” The Prisons Department is hopeful that people staying near Mangaluru prison and other central prisons, will get some relief.

Intrusion Detection Technology using Artificial Intelligence is being used on trial basis at the Bengaluru and Mysuru Central Prisons. It will be tried out in Mangaluru prison too. Depending on the effectiveness of the technology, the department may use it in other prisons, he said.

Mr. Kumar said he will have discussion with his personnel, and police officials from Mangaluru City and Dakshina Kannda Police and Karnataka State Industrial Security Force, who are incharge of Mangaluru Prison perimeter security, and take corrective measures to prevent passing of illegal items into the prison.

Some inmates who have created trouble in the Mangaluru prison have been transferred, and a few more will be shifted shortly to other prisons in the State. For inmates, who are in the prison for not paying the penalty amount, the prison personnel will contact the District Legal Services Authority to provide assistance to inmates for their release, he said.

On the construction of the new prison in Mudipu in Mangaluru, Mr. Kumar said he will meet Home Minister G. Parameshwara and request him to expedite the work. The local elected representatives should push for speedy completion of the work of the new prison, which will address problems faced by people from the existing prison and also increase security of inmates, he said.

Mr. Kumar was accompanied by Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun during the visit to the Mangaluru Prison. Mr. Kumar also visited Mudipu to see the progress of construction of the new prison.