Bhubaneswar: In a glaring lapse of prison security infrastructure, not a single jail in the state is currently equipped with advanced mobile signal blockers. Some key prisons still operate on outdated 2G jamming systems, raising serious concerns about the unchecked use of mobile phones by inmates in the era of 5G and smart devices.Odisha has 87 correctional facilities with a total capacity of 24,196 inmates. Currently, around 17,000 prisoners are housed in these jails. At these facilites, the state has failed to upgrade its signal jamming technology since 2008-09, when 2G jammers were installed in select jails, including Choudwar (Cuttack), Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Koraput, Sambalpur and Rourkela.“The continued reliance on outdated 2G jammers remains ineffective in preventing mobile phone usage with telecommunications advancing to 5G technology and sophisticated smartphones,” a jail official said.The state prisons directorate has acknowledged these challenges. “We have sent a proposal to upgrade the phone signal jamming system from 2G to 5G. We are also exploring other suitable technological interventions,” DG (prisons) Susanta Kumar Nath told TOI.Experts note that cost is not the issue—but implementation is tricky. “The installation of 2G jammers earlier triggered complaints of poor network coverage in nearby areas. Today, most prisons are surrounded by dense residential and commercial pockets. Previous attempts to reduce radio frequency interference compromised the effectiveness of surveillance measures,” a jail official said.An additional complication arises from the location of staff quarters within the jail premises. “While staff can utilise VHF sets and landlines for communication, their families residing in quarters would face communication restrictions. A system should come in place, ensuring that incoming and outgoing mobile phone calls, text messages and data services could be effectively blocked inside jails without affecting phone operations in the vicinity,” the official said.State police have emphasised the importance of enforcing mobile phone restrictions to prevent criminal activities orchestrated from within prisons, often facilitated by alleged nexus of jail staff. “There were instances when we found criminals operating their networks from within the jails. Phones were often seized following multiple raids in several districts,” a senior police officer said.Manoranjan Pratihari, senior superintendent of Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar, said, “We are strictly enforcing the law, ensuring that inmates do not get mobile phones. Manual inspections are being conducted daily in all cells,” said Manoranjan Pratihari, senior superintendent of Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar.
