No Compromise on Prison Security; Surveillance to be Strengthened Through Modern Technology – Dr. Arvind Sharma

 

Chandigarh, September 6: Haryana Cooperation, Tourism, Prisons and Elections Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said that maximum use of technology is being made to make the prisons in the state safer and more modern. The Tower Harmonics Call Blocking System, introduced as a pilot project in Ambala Jail, has successfully and effectively restricted the use of calls and internet through illegal mobile phones. Following the positive results, efforts are now underway to implement this technology in other prisons across the state as well.

He said that preventing the use of illegal mobile phones inside prisons is a priority of the department. Along with recovering mobile phones, eliminating the possibility of their use altogether is a more effective measure. Modern technology is therefore being utilised for this purpose, and there will be no compromise whatsoever with prison security.

A key feature of this technology is that it does not require the installation of conventional mobile jammers. Special towers are installed within the prison premises, through which mobile phones present there can be targeted and controlled. This makes it possible to prevent the use of illegal phones without completely disrupting the mobile network in the prison premises.

The Prisons Department had selected Ambala Jail for the pilot project of this technology with the objective of strengthening the security system. The functioning of the system, network coverage and its capability to prevent the use of illegal mobile phones were tested here. Following the satisfactory results of the pilot project, its implementation in other prisons across the state is now being considered.

Through the tower-based system, calls and internet services of illegal mobile phones present within the prison premises can be controlled. This will help the prison administration curb unauthorised communication from within the prison to the outside. The system can prove particularly important in situations where inmates attempt to contact people outside the prison from within the premises.

The Haryana Prisons Department is focusing on further strengthening prison security by integrating modern technology with the existing systems of conventional searches and surveillance. Following the successful trial in Ambala, further action will be taken towards expanding the system after assessing its requirement and technical feasibility in other prisons.