CAG points out deficiencies in Odisha's prison security

Bhubaneswar: The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has raised serious concerns over prison security in Odisha, citing glaring deficiencies in staffing, infrastructure, and management.In its latest audit report, the CAG revealed that inadequate deployment of guarding personnel left several jails vulnerable, leading to jailbreaks involving 29 inmates between 2020 and 2023.The audit, conducted from June 2023 to Feb 2024 covering the period 2020-21 to 2022-23, found that critical security equipment such as CCTV cameras, metal detectors, baggage scanners, mobile jammers, and non-linear junction detectors were either unavailable or non-functional.“The government did not provide adequate security equipment to prisons, resulting in the absence of basic security systems. No action was taken against officials of special jail, Bhubaneswar, and Balasore district jail despite the recovery of inadmissible items like mobile phones, SIM cards, and ganja,” the report stated.Beyond security lapses, the CAG also criticized poor sanitary and healthcare facilities.

Records from 15 sampled jails showed that in 10 facilities, 121 mentally-ill prisoners were housed with the general population without segregation. “They were not transferred to mental health institutions or safe custody facilities due to the non-availability of separate asylums,” the report noted.The audit further highlighted overcrowding and inadequate living space. Against the minimum requirement of 3.71 sqm per prisoner in sleeping barracks, most jails fell short.

Similarly, of the 2,203 bathing places required across 87 jails, only 916 were available—leaving 58.4% of facilities with insufficient bathrooms. The report also pointed to delays in constituting the prison development board, compounding systemic issues.Responding to the findings, the govt said steps are underway to modernize prison infrastructure. “AI-enabled CCTV systems are being installed, and advanced security gadgets are being procured. Drone cameras will be deployed on a pilot basis in select jails, and body-worn cameras will be provided to personnel,” a senior official said.