The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sheila launches new electronic surveillance system at Delhi prisons

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Sheila launches new electronic surveillance system at Delhi prisons

Staff Reporter

227 cameras have been installed in Tihar Jail, 31 in Rohini Jail

Photo: PTI

In the control room: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurating the new CCTV system at Tihar prisons in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday inaugurated a closed-circuit TV control room at Tihar Central Jail that would help in monitoring the activities of inmates, particularly hard-core criminals, lodged in Tihar and Rohini jails with the help of a network of 258 cameras.

Ms. Dikshit -- who was accompanied by Director-General of Police (Delhi Prisons) B. K. Gupta -- said since the number of inmates in Tihar Jail had far exceeded the capacity of the prison, keeping an eye on them had become difficult. Therefore the Delhi Government had decided to install CCTV cameras at all vantage points in the jail to effectively monitor the activities.

While 227 cameras have been installed in Tihar Jail which is spread over 400 hectares, 31 cameras have been installed in Rohini Jail.

The cameras have also been installed at the main entry door, visiting rooms and high-security wards.

The Rs.2.72-crore project would also help senior officers keep a vigil and ensure foolproof security inside the jail. It would also allow recording of activities whenever deemed necessary.

The Chief Minister announced that the Government was constructing jails at Mandoli, Narela, Ghitorni and Baprola to overcome the problem of overcrowding in existing jails.

She said the intention was to transform the jails into reform centres so that the inmates become responsible and law-abiding citizens after they are released.

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