After raids were conducted in jails across Odisha on several allegations, as many as 90 CCTV cameras would be installed at the Jharpada jail here to keep a close watch on activities of prisoners and jail employees in the premises.
The CCTV cameras would be placed in each corner of the jail for which there would be one control room.
The installation process would be completed in next two to three days. With the installation of cameras, it would be easier to keep watch on the activities of the criminals in jail sitting at one place, said Jail Superintendent Rabindranath Swain.
Most of the cameras installed earlier were found defunct during the raid conducted on Sunday morning. According to sources, there were 50 CCTV cameras defunct out of a total 56, and remaining six have been installed at the rooms of the Jailer and the Superintendent as well as the cells where VVIPs, hardcore criminals and Maoists are lodged. In order to curb access of outsiders to the jail, ADG Arun Kumar Ray has directed to instal more than 90 CCTV cameras in the premises of the prison, sources said.
As the cameras installed at the high-security zones including medical, kitchen, entrance point, meeting hall, free space, boundary wall and wards are not functioning, there are allegations that narcotics and other objectionable items are easily being supplied into the jail premises.
The Commissionerate police had seized cash and narcotics during the raid in the jail where 40 notorious criminals, an MP and two former MlAs accused in chit fund scam and seven Maoists are lodged. Besides, around 600 under-trial prisoners are also staying in the jail.