The Bengalore Central Prisons at Parappana Agrahara here will be expanded soon as the State government issues a final notification on acquiring 20 acres next to it.
The prison has 4,200 inmates against a maximum capacity of 2,000, Home Minister K J George told reporters after a meeting with top officials on Thursday.
A committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) S K Pattanayak, had been formed to estimate the cost and design of the expansion plan.
At present, the prison is spread over 138 acres. It is said the government had originally planned to establish the prison over 158 acres. However, the prison could come up only on 138 acres as the remaining 20 acres were entangled in a litigation. The government has now taken possession of the 20 acres.
George said the government would take measures to strengthen security at the prison. More closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and biometric devices would be installed to keep round-the-clock vigil inside and outside of it.
The minister admitted that the prevailing conditions at the prison had to be improved. There is no biometric system and only six of the 25 CCTV cameras are working. In addition, watchtowers would be built in the prison. The government was working on a plan to modernise other prisons in the State.
Pattanayak, who is conducting a probe into the escape of serial killer rapist M Jaishanker from the prison, is likely to submit his report to the government in two days. George said the probe would also explore whether Jaishanker received any inside in his escape.
Fresh guidelines
The government is preparing fresh guidelines on releasing convicts who have served more than 14 years in jail. Governor H R Bhardwaj had rejected the proposal of the previous government to release the convicts, citing lack of proper guidelines.
Prisoner release list
The Congress government also planned to send the Governor a list of prisoners for release on October 2 on account of their good conduct, George said.
The government would also pay the fine owed by prisoners who displayed good conduct but were unable to cough up the sum. Besides, the government would increase the daily wage of home guards from Rs 200 to Rs 300, he added.
To a question, George said the Inspector General of Police (IGP-South) was conducting an inquiry into the death of a senior citizen in Kodagu after he was allegedly beaten up by policemen. Action would be taken against those found guilty as per law, he said.