<p>Following the escape and arrest of serial rapist and psycopath killer Jaishanker from Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara, Bangalore, security at prisons have come under scrutiny, renewing the demand for increasing the men (staff) in accordance with the demand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Central Prisons Mysore is no exception, with the facility in existence for the past 152 years. The jail built in the year 1862 is spread on 21 acres of land on Ashoka road, with a built area of 10 acres.<br /><br />Sources told Deccan Herald, recently, two months ago, the prisons authorities have petitioned the deputy commissioner demanding 40 acres of land to shift the jail to a full-fledged and vast location. <br /><br />Overcrowded<br /><br />The reason being, the jail is overcrowded for the past several decades. In all, there are close to 1,200 inmates, double the actual capacity (564), comprising men and women, convicts and undertrials incarcerated in 40 barracks (including two exclusive women cells). A minimum of five and maximum of 15 and sometimes even more are lodged in each cells, exposing the chinks in the system.<br /><br />For over 1,000 prisoners, there are 102 prison staff (10 per cent of the total prisoners) in different cadres, guarding the cells round the clock, but in shifts. <br /><br />In addition to this, the department has roped in the services of 17 serving prisoners having good conduct for various other menial jobs within the jail precincts.<br /><br />Chief Superintendent of Prisons P S Jayasimha told Deccan Herald, of the total staff, there is one chief superintendent, two superintendents, one assistant superintendent in the top cadre. The middle and most important level consists of 82 warders, who are assisted by 16 head warders.<br /><br /> In the existing scenario, 19 among the warders have gone for training. The officer claimed that though there is not much of men shortage, still there is a demand for additional 25 warders. <br /><br />However, incorporation of technology has lessened the burden a bit with closed circuit TV cameras installed on the premises, besides jammer.<br /><br />Khan under watch<br /><br />Among 1,000 odd prisoners, underworld don Chhota Rajan’s aide and sharp shooter Bachcha Khan is the only high-profile criminal behind the bars here. It was three months ago, Khan was shifted to Mysore from Belgaum and has been kept in the VIP cell under ward and watch system. <br /><br />Wall that connects...<br /><br />The ‘C’ wall of the jail that separates a burial ground from the prison on the backside will be often in news for being the only link between the prisoners and outside world. <br /><br />Though a 3-foot high wall, cellphones, ganja packets and other type of drugs and the articles in need (for the prisoners) are thrown inside the jail in covert manner through the particular wall. <br /><br />It has become a routine for the police at Mandi Station (jail situated in the jurisdiction of that station) having an out-post at the jail to take note of the complaints from the jail authorities, to check ‘flying substances’ from outside.</p>
<p>Following the escape and arrest of serial rapist and psycopath killer Jaishanker from Central Jail at Parappana Agrahara, Bangalore, security at prisons have come under scrutiny, renewing the demand for increasing the men (staff) in accordance with the demand.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Central Prisons Mysore is no exception, with the facility in existence for the past 152 years. The jail built in the year 1862 is spread on 21 acres of land on Ashoka road, with a built area of 10 acres.<br /><br />Sources told Deccan Herald, recently, two months ago, the prisons authorities have petitioned the deputy commissioner demanding 40 acres of land to shift the jail to a full-fledged and vast location. <br /><br />Overcrowded<br /><br />The reason being, the jail is overcrowded for the past several decades. In all, there are close to 1,200 inmates, double the actual capacity (564), comprising men and women, convicts and undertrials incarcerated in 40 barracks (including two exclusive women cells). A minimum of five and maximum of 15 and sometimes even more are lodged in each cells, exposing the chinks in the system.<br /><br />For over 1,000 prisoners, there are 102 prison staff (10 per cent of the total prisoners) in different cadres, guarding the cells round the clock, but in shifts. <br /><br />In addition to this, the department has roped in the services of 17 serving prisoners having good conduct for various other menial jobs within the jail precincts.<br /><br />Chief Superintendent of Prisons P S Jayasimha told Deccan Herald, of the total staff, there is one chief superintendent, two superintendents, one assistant superintendent in the top cadre. The middle and most important level consists of 82 warders, who are assisted by 16 head warders.<br /><br /> In the existing scenario, 19 among the warders have gone for training. The officer claimed that though there is not much of men shortage, still there is a demand for additional 25 warders. <br /><br />However, incorporation of technology has lessened the burden a bit with closed circuit TV cameras installed on the premises, besides jammer.<br /><br />Khan under watch<br /><br />Among 1,000 odd prisoners, underworld don Chhota Rajan’s aide and sharp shooter Bachcha Khan is the only high-profile criminal behind the bars here. It was three months ago, Khan was shifted to Mysore from Belgaum and has been kept in the VIP cell under ward and watch system. <br /><br />Wall that connects...<br /><br />The ‘C’ wall of the jail that separates a burial ground from the prison on the backside will be often in news for being the only link between the prisoners and outside world. <br /><br />Though a 3-foot high wall, cellphones, ganja packets and other type of drugs and the articles in need (for the prisoners) are thrown inside the jail in covert manner through the particular wall. <br /><br />It has become a routine for the police at Mandi Station (jail situated in the jurisdiction of that station) having an out-post at the jail to take note of the complaints from the jail authorities, to check ‘flying substances’ from outside.</p>
