Jharkhand to set up Jail Intelligence Unit to curb criminal activities behind bars

Mail News Service

Ranchi, July 24: The Jharkhand government is set to establish a Jail Intelligence Unit in a significant move to tighten security and curb criminal activities inside prisons. This dedicated unit will monitor inmates, visitors, and prison staff, aiming to prevent crimes being orchestrated from within the jail premises.

The Jail Intelligence Unit will consist of a small team of officers and will function under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). A detailed proposal for the formation of this unit has been submitted by the Union Home Ministry to the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary of Jharkhand.

Despite earlier efforts, the installation and improvement of mobile signal jammers in the state’s jails remained incomplete. While surveys had been conducted and reports submitted by jammer companies, implementation had yet to begin.

Of the 31 jails in Jharkhand, 14 still did not have any jammers installed. The jammers that do exist were mostly compatible only with 2G networks, making them obsolete in the era of 5G connectivity. This technical gap had enabled prisoners to operate mobile phones and coordinate criminal activities from within jail cells. Several serious crimes had been traced back to jail inmates in recent years.

Breakdown of Jharkhand’s 31 Jails

Central Jails (7): Birsa Munda Central Jail (Ranchi), Jayprakash Narayan Central Jail (Hazaribagh), Dumka, Ghaghidih (Jamshedpur), Daltonganj (Palamu), Deoghar, Giridih.

Divisional Jails (20): Located in Chaibasa, Gumla, Saraikela, Chas, Tenughat, Simdega, Latehar, Garhwa, Koderma, Chatra, Dhanbad, Lohardaga, Jamtara, Pakur, Godda, and Sakchi (Jamshedpur).

Sub Jails (6): Located in Ghatshila, Khunti, Ramgarh, Barhi, Rajmahal, and Madhupur.

Open Jail (1): Open Jail in Hazaribagh.

The new intelligence unit was expected to bring more accountability, improved surveillance, and a crackdown on unlawful activities facilitated through prison networks.