Delhi govt mulling putting RFID device on Tihar inmates

Delhi government is mulling putting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking device on the ankles of Tihar inmates to prevent prisoners from escaping from jail and check the cases of violence inside the premises.
"I have asked jail authorities to study feasibility of using tracking security band on the ankle of prisoners. Through these bands we can check all the movements of inmates and can also fix their boundaries," Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said.
According to officials, many foreign countries have implemented Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking of prisoners, which has helped in curbing violence inside the prison, sexual abuse and potential prison escapes.

These security bands are tamper-proof and activate alarm if an inmate tries to remove or destroy it. It works on the same technology that is used to track tigers in forest reserves.
He also asked the jail authorities to do an audit of the infrastructure of jail building. "I have asked to conduct security audit of the jail and asked them to strengthen the prison walls," Jain said.
Yesterday, Delhi government suspended a Tihar jail Superintendent in connection with the escape of two inmates from the prison last month.

Jain has sought a detailed report from Tihar authorities on the state of affairs in the prison.

He has also sought a proposal from the authorities on steps required to improve functioning of the jail.
Security at the high profile Tihar jail has been a cause of concern off late as police have recently busted several extortion rackets being run from the premises in which inmates used mobile phones.
A number of inmates have also lost their lives in the recent past in fights on the jail premises.
Jain also asked the authorities to strengthen the security of newly built Mandoli Jail to make it operational at the earliest. Opening of Mandoli Jail in east Delhi will help decongest overcrowded Tihar Jail.