Web-monitoring of Kerala jails soon

Web-based monitoring of Kerala prisons is on the cards with the High Court directing the government to take immediate steps, including online surveillance, to keep track of goings-on inside prisons in the State.

The directions in this regard were given yesterday by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice, V K Bali and Justice P R Raman, while accepting the recommendations made by Amicus Curaie, lawyer P B Sahasranamam, appointed by the court.

Such a step, would help put a stop to abuse of prisoners belonging to a political party by those belonging to another outfit in connivance with jail authorities, the Bench held.

Directions were issued while disposing suo notu proceedings initiated on the basis of a complaint made by a Kannur central jail inmate that certain prisoners were allegedly being harmed by co-prisoners owing allegiance to another political party with the help of jail staff.

According to Sahasranamam,a surprise check was not possible inside the jails as entry to them was restricted. A continious monitoring of jails would help check the abuse, he said.

Using web cameras along with motion sensors and wireless technology was the best solution, he said. Such cameras, the size of a match box, can be installed in common places where surveillance is needed.