Need to intensify security checks at entry points to stop sneaking in of mobiles in jail

14 mobiles in 2 days seized from Jail inmates in Ferozepur

Need to intensify security checks at entry points to stop sneaking in of mobiles in jail

Ferozepur, July 13, 2024: A large number of mobile phones and other objectionable articles were seized during simultaneous searches carried out in jails on a day-to-day basis during the current year.  The recent recovery is of 14 mobiles – 6 mobiles on July 11 and 8 mobiles, 48 sachets of tobacco and 2 cigarette packs on July 12.

A huge amount of prohibited items such as mobiles, SIM cards, batteries, chargers, data cables, pen drives, adopters and other banned items were said to have been seized during the raids under the supervision of respective Superintendent and Dy. Superintends Jail.

During the current year, The month recovery of mobiles and other banned items from Central Jail Ferozepur are –  January 2024 – 15 mobiles, 2 SIM cards, 6 batteries, 6 headphones, 4 data cables and intoxicant powder – 457 sachets of tobacco, 27 bundles bidis, 15 cigarette packs, 23 packets cool lip, 860 drug tablets, 144 capsules and 28 throws.  February 2024 – 5 mobiles, 3 headphones, 6 data cables and intoxicant substances – 674 sachets of tobacco, 47 bundles of bidis, 32 cigarette packs, 2 packs of cool lip and 56 throws.  March -2024 – 6 mobiles, 2 chargers, 1 data cable and intoxicant substance – 412 schet tobacco, 5 bundles bidis, 17 cigarette packs and 30 throws. April -2024 – Nil.  May – 2024 – 6 mobiles 120 sachets tobacco and 8 throws. June 2024 – 8 mobiles 88 tobacoo sachets and 7 throws. July 11 – 14  mobile, 58 gm intoxicant powder, 115 sachets tobacco, 5 bundles bidis, 4 cool lip and 3 cigarette packs.

The increasing use of mobiles by inmates has posed a challenge to preventing crime as plans are being hatched inside the jail. The easy availability of mobile phones inside the jail rather than drugs is a major cause of concern. The motive behind the searches from time to time in the jail is to establish the rule of law. Such action work is a deterrent to criminals committing crimes from behind bars and active on social networking sites, said the jail official.

Security concerns are often cited as why cell phones are prohibited in prisons. But there has hardly been any tracing of cases on the seizure of mobiles except in high-profile cases as taking the jail inmate on remand for investigation requires proper security arrangements. The only alternative to check the sneaking in of mobiles inside the jail is to tighten the security at the entry points, with change on staff on the spot to rule out the connivance or pre-planned programme of relaxation in checking of inmates while going back to the barracks after meeting the relatives.  The other measure that can be adopted is to restrict the visitation of inmates from whom the mobile or any other banned item is seized during the search operation.