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Delhi Prisons: Layers of Security Under Fire After Jailbreak
30 Oct
Summary
- Delhi's three prison complexes house over 20,000 inmates.
- Tihar Jail has a history of notable escapes since 1965.
- A four-layer security system and over 7,000 CCTV cameras are in place.
The recent jailbreak in Tamil Nadu has renewed attention on prison security measures across India, including Delhi's three major prison complexes: Tihar, Rohini, and Mandoli, which can accommodate over 20,000 inmates. Tihar Jail, in particular, has a long and varied history of escapes dating back to 1965, with incidents involving notorious figures like Charles Sobhraj and Sher Singh Rana.
To counter such threats, Delhi's prisons employ an extensive security apparatus. This includes a dedicated four-layer security system involving various police forces, over 7,000 CCTV cameras for continuous monitoring, and large-scale mobile signal jammers. Regular security assessments, cell searches, and stringent protocols for prisoner movement and external maintenance work are also in place.
Prison staff are subject to routine transfers to mitigate the risk of collusion. The deployment of Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) at Tihar, initiated in 1980, was a strategic measure to reduce local connections and enhance overall security integrity.
