CCTVs in Mumbai jail to monitor guards

Arthur Road jail is set to have closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed within its premises by May. The decision was taken in 2007 by the state government, but the tendering process has just started. Interestingly, the cameras are to be installed to keep a check on jail guards and not the inmates, said sources.

According to jail sources, funds of nearly Rs2 crore have been sanctioned by the government. The jail sources said that there have been instances wherein jail guards have been found sleeping at night.

“There have been allegations that drugs and weapons were regularly supplied. The basic requirement is to install around 200 CCTVs to have a round-the-clock watch inside the barracks. There will be different types of cameras that would be installed across the jail,” said a jail official, requesting anonymity.

“The tendering process will end by March 31. Soon after the bidding, the CCTVs can be installed. It will help us check if anyone is trying to dominate inmates, and whether guards are awake and vigilant. Recordings of around 15 days to a month will be made and the data will be preserved,” said inspector general of police, prison, Surinder Kumar.