Tihar Jail complex in Delhi has only about 250 cameras to keep watch over some 14,000 inmates spread across nine jails, making it easy to slip past the surveillance network. The situation is soon expected to improve with an internal report pointing to the need for approximately 1500 cameras to monitor all the wards and the periphery. The report comes in the wake of a high court order asking the jail to install cameras for efficient monitoring of jail activities.
The primary work has begun, with about 250 cameras being installed at various strategic locations in the past few days. Sunil Gupta, PRO, Tihar Jail, said about 1,500 more cameras were required in keeping with the court order. Officials are roping in qualified workers along with a better monitoring system for round-the- clock surveillance inside the jail. The officials hope to cover all areas like barracks, playgrounds and corridors prone to scuffles and fights among inmates. This should make it possible to monitor wards individually and keep an eye on the inmates even after sunset, apart from reining in illegal activities like contraband distribution and supply of weapons and gadgets like SIM cards and phones.
