The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Surveillance cameras installed in Tiruchi prison

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Monday, Jun 08, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Surveillance cameras installed in Tiruchi prison

R. Rajaram

TIRUCHI: Security on the central prison premises here has been enhanced with the installation of surveillance cameras to monitor the activities of inmates and prevent smuggling of prohibited articles. Three ‘pan tilt zoom’ (PTZ) surveillance cameras have been fixed at vantage points in the prison, which accommodates over 1,500 remand prisoners, under-trials and convicts.

While one camera has been installed in the main administrative building, two cameras have been fixed in the interview room, where visitors meet inmates every day. Costing Rs.5.80 lakh, the three hi-tech cameras are connected to the Superintendent of Prison’s office in the prison as well as the control room inside.

Monitoring movements

The PTZ cameras, inaugurated by the Director General of Police (Prison), R. Nataraj, a few days ago, not only enable the authorities to monitor the movement of prisoners but that of staff as well, prison authorities told The Hindu.

Inside the control room, a jail employee monitors the activities by looking at the screen that is linked to the cameras.

A senior official said the cameras are positioned on the prisoners’ side as well as the visitors’ side. This enables the officials to know the visitors calling on the inmates.

The entire movements are recorded with a 30-day back-up facility.

The articles brought by the visitors are checked with the help of X-ray scanner installed to prevent smuggling of prohibited items.

The camera installed atop the main administrative building covers two watch towers located in the jail, which has a total number of six watch towers. Three cameras have been installed in Phase I, the official said, adding that a proposal has been sent seeking 11 more surveillance cameras to cover the entire prison.

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