Bangalore: We have all heard of jailed goons and dons who reportedly run their empires over illicit cellphones from their cells. However, jail authorities are actually getting serious about telephone facility for the inmates of Bangalore Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara.

The proposal certainly has made a few people anxious as they feel introducing such a facility for criminals may be risky. However, S.T. Ramesh, Additional Director-General of Police and Inspector General (Prisons), stoutly defends the move, which he says is a positive step.

Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu that the introduction of the facility would in fact help in the jail administration. "The prisoners are always tense and stressed, worrying about their families. We want to help relieve that stress by allowing them to contact their families," he said. The Bangalore Central Jail has prisoners who hail from neighbouring districts and their relatives line up outside the prison, hoping to meet them. "Majority of the prisoners belong to the lower socio-economic strata. It is difficult for their families to visit on a regular basis as it involves huge expenditure. If the phone facility is introduced, the travel expenditure will reduce and the number of people lining up outside the prison wanting to meet their loved ones will also decrease," he said.

Mr. Ramesh said that the proposal had been in the pipeline for quite some time. When Home Minister M.P. Prakash visited the prison recently to launch the distance education programme, he was apprised about the proposal. "Even the Minister was a little apprehensive initially. But, when I explained to him, he gave a positive feedback and also announced its introduction before the inmates."

He certainly expects prisoners to try and misuse the facility but said the authorities would record the conversations. In fact, a board announcing the fact would be put up near the telephone and prison officials would monitor the calls.

Modalities such as the number of booths and the like were still being worked out. "We propose to give the inmates calling cards, which they have to buy, that specify the number of minutes they will be allowed to use the telephone. We will have only calling facility. The inmates cannot receive calls."

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