Haryana to install mobile phone jammers in all jails
CHANDIGARH: Haryana jails minister Krishan Lal Panwar on Tuesday said that plans are afoot to instal 140 mobile phone jammers in all jails across the state to curb illegal use of cell phones by inmates.
Talking to the media here, Panwar said the government would instal 4G jammers at Jhajjar, Sonepat, Ambala and Gurugram jails at a cost of Rs 6.76 crore in the first phase. In the second phase, 11 such jammers would be installed in Rohtak district and another 17 in Gurugram at a cost of Rs 17.53 crore.
There are a total of 19 jails, including three central jails (two in Hisar and one at Ambala) in the state.
To a question pertaining to overcrowding in jails, Panwar admitted that there are about 19,800 prisoners lodged in state jails against their capacity of about 18,200.
He said new jails are being constructed at Panipat, Rewari and Nuh, which would capacity of 1,000 prisoners each.
Panwar said that under a new scheme, around 30 houses would be constructed outside jail where prisoners would be allowed to live with their families and work.
“This facility would be available to only those prisoners who would exhibit good behaviour,” he added.
INCREASED TALK TIME
Panwar said that earlier, prisoners were allowed to talk to their family members on phone only for 10 minutes , but the present government had increased this time limit to 35 minutes for men and up to 60 minutes for woman prisoners. Besides, video calling facility has also been made available in 13 jails.
SMOKING ZONES LIKELY
Replying to a media query regarding permission to smoke in the jails, the minister said that earlier, a complete ban was imposed on smoking, but later permission was granted for smoking in jails. “It is also being considered to set up separate smoking zones or halls in the jails,” he added.