Fifteen cameras to be installed in Shillong jail as part of security measures

Shillong, Sept 12: The jail department will be installing more than fifteen cameras within the Shillong district jail premises as
part of security enhancement measures to improve administration with the jail premises.

DGP (Prison) Kulbir Kishan said the jail department is fitting at least 18 CCTV cameras wherever necessary to stop any attempts of jail break or any misconduct within the premises. He said the project is likely to be completed by next month.

Established in 1895 under the erstwhile British government, the Shillong district jail presently housed 320 inmates against a capacity
of only 150 and administering the jail has been affected due to overcrowding, jail officials said.

Asked on the process of decongestion within the jail premises, Kulbir said 10 convicts had been shifted today to Tura district jail in West Garo Hills district.

Kishan hopes that about 150 under trial prisoners would also be shifted to Nongpoh district jail in Ri-Bhoi district and Nongstoin
in West Khasi Hills district early next year.

Built at an estimated Rs 9.5 crore each, the two district jails are delayed with cost escalation. A jail break on May 31, 2009 was the last recorded jailbreak even as the jail here recorded a maximum number of over 30 jailbreaks within a span of 20 years from 1990 – 2010.- By Our Reporter