More than 340 mobile phones have been found in various prisons in Delhi over the past two and a half months, official data showed on Thursday.
Director-General (Prisons) Sanjay Baniwal told reporters that prison authorities found 348 mobile phones in two and a half months.
“On Wednesday, prison authorities raided prison number 3 and confiscated 18 mobile phone, mobile phone phones and chargers. In the past two months or more, prison authorities have confiscated 348 mobile phones.
“Prison wardens have started conducting raids after developing intelligence inside the prisons. These actions are now sending a strong message to the criminal world,” Baniwal said.
“We have set ourselves 23 goals for 2023. These goals include making prisons completely phone-free and establishing a problem-solving system for inmates. This type of jammer should be installed so nobody can use the phone in the prisons,” the DG said.
When asked that insider involvement helps inmates get cell phones into prisons, he said, “We acknowledge the involvement of prison staff in such acts. We have acted harshly against those found guilty in the past and will continue to do so in the future.” Baniwal also said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also be signed with the Art of Living Foundation, to enhance the mental well-being of the inmates.
The President and Deputy Governor of Delhi have issued instructions that arrangements should be made within prisons to provide inmates with training to develop their skills so that they can find employment after their release from prisons, he said.
A total of 1,020 prison inmates will be trained in tourism and hospitality as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), which will end in three months, the DG said.
“We will be giving skill training in high-end clothing sewing to around 1,000 inmates under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana so that when they get out of prison and become entrepreneurs, they can start their tailoring business through the Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency ( mudra) loans,” said the DG (prisons).
