Prisoners in Andhra jails to get phone facility
By IANSFriday, February 11, 2011
HYDERABAD - Prisoners in Andhra Pradesh will soon be able to get in touch with family members through telephone.
Concerned over the increasing incidents of seizure of mobile phones in jails, the government decided to provide a telephone to prisoners to help them to speak to their near and dear ones.
The authorities hope this facility would help them tackle the problem of illegal mobile phones in jails.
Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy told reporters Friday that the details were being worked out. Counseling will also be provided to the prisoners as part of the jail reforms.
She admitted that mobile phones were being seized from prisoners in some jails. “We will not spare the members of jail staff involved in providing mobile phones to prisoners,” she said.
The minister said security in the jails was being strengthened with the use of technology including installation of closed circuit cameras.
She said it was not possible to install jamers to prevent the use of hand phones in jails as people living in areas around the jails would also face problems in accessing the mobile phone network.
Jail officials have intensified checking at the Cherlapally Jail near Hyderabad. A clash between officials and prisoners broke out during one such check last week.
