Berhampur: With several hardcore criminals lodged in the Berhampur Circle Jail, warders will put on body cameras to keep track of the movement and activities of the inmates, a report said.
The development came after the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) asking the jail authorities to attach body cameras to the uniforms of jail officials. Therefore, the Berhampur Circle Jail authorities have decided to follow the SOP.
Being the most sensitive jail in South Odisha due to the presence of a large number of hardened criminals, the security of the inmates in the Berhampur Circle Jail has always remained a priority for the officials.
This new system will soon be implemented in the Berhampur Circle jail, where efforts have been launched to train the warders. Later, a special control room will be set up on its premises, from where officials will keep a tab on the shots being recorded in body cameras. After this new surveillance system is implemented, all the inmates in and outside the wards will remain under close watch of the authorities.
Reports say that there have been several hardcore criminals lodged in this jail for the last several years who have turned the jail into their transit home. Even some of them have become so powerful and influential that they are calling the shots from their cells.
The jail also houses Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda and many other rebels from the banned outfit. Even persons arrested in illegal cannabis and drug trade, interstate dacoity, looting, and contract killing cases have been lodged in this jail.
Sources said that the jail authorities have installed CCTV cameras in every ward of the jail to keep track of the movements of the inmates inside the jail premises.
Besides, they have also deployed armed police personnel to keep a close watch on the inmates from the watch towers erected around the jail. Despite these measures, infighting among the inmates is often reported in the jail.
The authorities have failed to keep a record of cases of infighting and violence that take place outside due to the absence of any surveillance system.
In such circumstances, the body camera will help the jail officials keep a watch on the movements of the history sheeters lodged in the jail.
The body camera will also help jail personnel keep a close watch on hardcore criminals while they are being taken to court for an appearance or to the hospital for treatment.
There are instances when hardcore criminals tried to flee, taking advantage of slack security measures during their production in court or while being rushed to a hospital. In these situations, the body camera will come in handy for the jail authorities.
Contacted, jailor Satya Narayan Behera confirmed the development, stating that the authorities have decided to install body cameras in the uniforms of the warders. Steps will be taken in this regard after getting clearance from the higher-ups. The jail has the capacity to house 914 inmates, but currently, there are 833 inmates in the jail, he added.
PNN