Mysuru: DGP (Prisons) Alok Kumar conducted a surprise inspection of the Mysuru Central Jail on Friday and warned that strict action would be taken against inmates and staff involved in possessing or facilitating the use of contraband, including mobile phones.
During the surprise operation, Alok Kumar personally inspected individual barracks across the prison premises. The inspection was carried out following complaints regarding the alleged use of mobile phones and other irregularities inside the jail.
DGP flags mobile signal availability
Speaking to media persons after the inspection, Alok Kumar said significant security concerns had been identified at the prison, including the availability of mobile signals in certain areas.
He said there was an urgent need to install mobile jammers in the jail to prevent unauthorised communication by inmates.
“There is an urgent need to install jammers here. We received multiple complaints regarding illicit mobile phone usage and other irregularities, which prompted this inspection,” he said.
The DGP said he had reviewed explanations provided by inmates during the inspection and collected reports from prison staff.
According to him, systemic measures are being worked out to address the security concerns. However, he said specific details of the measures could not be disclosed for security reasons.
Strict action against contraband
Alok Kumar issued a stern warning to both inmates and prison staff against the possession and facilitation of contraband inside prisons.
He said possessing a mobile phone inside a jail is an offence and that helping an inmate obtain or retain a mobile phone is also punishable.
“Possessing a mobile phone inside the jail is an offence, and aiding its possession is equally criminal. We will take strict action against both parties,” he said.
The warning comes amid continued efforts by prison authorities to prevent the illegal entry and use of mobile phones and other prohibited items inside correctional facilities.
Over 300 phones seized in Bengaluru prison
Alok Kumar said prison authorities had seized more than 300 mobile phones from Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Prison over the past eight months.
He said authorities suspect that a few more mobile phones could still be inside the prison and efforts are under way to recover them.
The DGP also highlighted the difficulties faced by prison authorities in detecting phones and SIM cards being illegally brought into prisons.
He said nearly 200 people enter the prison every day, creating challenges for security personnel tasked with preventing the entry of prohibited articles.
According to Alok Kumar, some individuals resort to extreme methods to evade detection, including swallowing SIM cards or concealing mobile phones inside their bodies.
‘Cannot claim 100% phone-free jails’
The DGP acknowledged the challenges involved in completely eliminating mobile phones from prisons.
He said the authorities cannot currently claim that jails are completely free of unauthorised mobile phones, but measures are being implemented to bring the problem under control.
The detection process needs to be carried out thoroughly and methodically, he said, given the different methods used to conceal prohibited items.
The surprise inspection at Mysuru Central Jail forms part of the wider effort to identify security gaps and strengthen measures against the entry and use of contraband.
Alok Kumar declines comment on Prajwal Revanna case
When asked about the recent recovery of a mobile phone allegedly linked to former MP Prajwal Revanna, Alok Kumar declined to provide details.
He said the matter was currently under police investigation and that he could not comment on what had or had not been recovered at this stage.
The DGP’s comments come as prison authorities continue to focus on strengthening internal security, preventing the circulation of mobile phones and ensuring that both inmates and staff comply with prison regulations.
The Mysuru inspection also underlined the importance of addressing infrastructure-related security gaps, including mobile signal availability, while maintaining strict surveillance over inmates, staff and visitors entering prison premises.