7 jails in Karnataka will have private security

The prisons department has decided to appoint private security guards in seven central prisons in the state to prevent illegal activities on their premises. The decision has come after a house committee report exposed unlawful activities in these jails, especially at the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.

Private security guards will start working in Parappana Agrahara, Mysore, Belgaum, Bellary, Tumkur, Dharwad and Mangalore central prisons from August 15.

“We had called for tenders in this regard, and five companies have come forward to offer their services. Within 10 days, tenders will be finalised and on August 15 we will hand over the security duty to them,” said prisons minister, Umesh Katti.

Private security guards will look into only the outside security of the prisons. “Regular jail staff will take care of inside security.

Whenever prohibited items are found inside the jails, the common explanation given is that they all came from outside. We want to keep a check on the things that get into the jails,” the minister said.

“The department has received many complaints about availability of ganja and other drugs in these prisons. We are not suspecting the jail authorities or staff. Appointing private security guards is just a preventive measure to stop such activities. If any jail staff is found to be encouraging illegal activities, they will be booked for criminal charges,” he said.

The minister also said that the government would spend Rs40 crore this year to upgrade the jails.