Jail inmates bask in luxury, all for a price

• Convicts feast on biryani, possess cell phones and consume cannabis
• Deals are struck for lakhs between prisoners and officials

Hyderabad: There seems to be no end to the nefarious activities within the four walls of prisons. Jail authorities, however, claim that they do conduct surprise checks and confiscate prohibited items, but unfortunately they do not act as a deterrent against misconduct. Thursday's seizure of 15 cell phones from Cherlapally jail has once again questioned the role of a senior jail official. His role came under the scanner as he was reportedly hand in glove with some prisoners. Following the seizure of cell phones and SIM cards from the inmates, a chief warden and two other wardens were placed under suspension for negligence of duty.

“We formed a special Task Force team to keep a check on illegal activities, especially mobile phones, ganja (cannabis) and other prohibited things within the jail premises. The Home Minister said strict action would be taken against the culprits and also against the erring officers if found guilty,” DG (Prisons) VK Singh said. The senior officials are probing how phones were smuggled into the high-security prison. However, this is not the first time that allegations of illegal activities, especially usage of mobile phones, ganja packets and prisoners enjoying banned facilities at the Cherlapally jail have surfaced. For certain offences inside the prison, the Superintendent has no option except to refer the accused to the magistrate under Rule 300. It is learnt that depending on the services required, deals are struck for a fee, which runs into several lakhs of rupees, between prisoners and officials.

In the month of May jail inmates were reportedly using mobile phones, feasting on biryani and enjoying facilities usually not allowed in a prison. This shocking revelation came to light during a surprise check by top prison officials. Similarly, three cell phones, five SIM cards and pen drives, besides Rs 2,000 cash were seized from prisoners at the Cherlapally Central Prison during a surprise check conducted at the night of August 23. Six cell phones and some quantity of ganja were seized during a surprise check conducted by a special team on September 23. “Prisoners found to be in possession of phones or other prohibited material will be transferred to far-away jails and they will never be considered for remission or parole,” explained Singh.

Explaining about the infrastructure and development of State-run jails, Singh said the old jails in the State would be developed into art and culture museums. Sangareddy jail would be the first to be changed into Telangana Art and Culture museum followed by Nizamabad,” said the DG adding the new prison logo was on the anvil for Telangana State.