ITAHARI, Dec 16: In a bid to monitor the activities of the inmates, the Eastern Regional Prison of Jhumka has installed CCTV cameras. As the prison has earned the recognition of being one of the best in the country, this is just another step to make it better, say even the inmates.
"Apart from the sleeping rooms of the occupants, we can have a sight on all other activities," said prisoner Krishna Ghimire. He informed Republica that 28 CCTV cameras have been installed in the blocks 1 and 2 of the prison. "With this, we can prevent any kind of unwanted activities," Ghimire said, adding, "We can also see if the family members of the inmates illegally give anything to them while visiting them. This has helped the work of the security personnel."
On November 8, 2012, 12 inmates had managed to escape from the prison by digging an 80-ft long tunnel.
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Since then, the prison has been making several efforts to ensure such incidents never are repeated. Fortunately, the efforts made by the authorities are turning effective, as no such incident has been repeated after that. In fact, Jhumka prison has been developed as the most peaceful and exemplary prison of the nation.
Meanwhile, the prison authority is also planning to conduct awareness programs to help inmates change their living patterns and bring positivity in them.
Even now, senior inmates have been teaching lessons on ethics and discipline to their juniors. Every day at 6 pm, the inmates are given counseling regarding their activities during the day.
Inmates willing to complete their studies can study in prison. They have a library for reference.
Likewise, those with skills can involve themselves in various activities such as weaving, sewing and cutting, among others. They are also provided with training regarding plumbing and electronics. Currently, there are 1,637 inmates in Jhumka prison.
