Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, July 14: Authorities have begun installing a 12-foot-high wire mesh fence above the compound wall of the district jail at Kodialbail in Mangaluru in a major security upgrade aimed at preventing mobile phones, narcotic substances and other prohibited items from being thrown into the prison from outside.

The Public Works Department (PWD) is executing the Rs 50 lac project with funding from the Department of Prisons. Work commenced a few days ago after the completion of the tender process and other administrative formalities. The prison is currently enclosed by a 15-foot-high stone compound wall topped with a two-foot wire fence.

Despite these safeguards, authorities have repeatedly reported incidents of people standing on the road outside the jail and hurling ganja, mobile phones and other contraband into the premises. The banned items are typically packed in plastic bags, tied to stones and thrown over the wall.

District jail superintendent Sharana Basappa said the new wire mesh would rise 12 feet above the existing compound wall, making it virtually impossible to throw any object into the prison.

"The newly installed wire fence will extend about 12 feet above the compound wall. This will make it almost impossible for anyone to throw objects into the jail. Moreover, the mesh openings are so small that even a small stone will not be able to pass through," he said.

Security around the prison is handled by personnel of the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF). Every visitor is subjected to mandatory screening before being allowed entry. KSISF personnel have already detected and taken action against several individuals who attempted to smuggle mobile phones, narcotic substances and other prohibited items into the prison.

The Mangaluru district jail has an authorised capacity of 210 inmates, but as of July 11, it was housing 369 prisoners, significantly exceeding its capacity. Owing to the severe shortage of space, more than 100 inmates have been transferred to prisons in Shivamogga and other districts.

Prison officials said 50 to 60% of the inmates are drug addicts, many of whom continue trying to obtain narcotic substances through various means while in custody. In view of these repeated attempts to smuggle contraband into the jail, authorities have decided to further strengthen security measures to plug every possible route used to bring prohibited items into the prison.