Use of mobiles by UTPs: Shillong jail to have PCO

SHILLONG: A Public Call Office (PCO) will be set up in the Shillong district jail to ensure that the jail inmates do not use mobile phones inside the lock-up.
Several cases were reported in the past regarding misuse of mobile phones inside jail by the inmates which had resulted in frequent jail breaks. Moreover, cash was also recovered in the past from the jail inmates.
The jail manual prevents the use of mobile phones and the possession of cash inside the jail.
Additional DGP (Prisons) B.L. Buam told reporters on Friday that since relatives do not turn up to visit the inmates, the jail authorities thought that the system of PCO would alow the inmates to call their family or relatives and inquire about their well being.
“The under trials can make calls once a week monitored by jail authorities. However those detained under MPDA will not be allowed to use the PCO,” Buam said.
As far as the possession of cash by UTPs is concerned Buam said that the jail inmates will be paid for the hard labour they do inside the jail premises.
Buam said that three mobile phones have been recovered in the last few days and one of them belonged to a GNLA cadre. An FIR in this regard was also filed at Sadar Police Station.
“As part of our clean up system in the Shillong district jail, we seized three mobile phones and further action will follow,” Buam said.
Buam said that the GNLA cadre who has been using the mobile phone in the Shillong district jail   surrendered it before the jail officials.
The GNLC cadre confessed that he had received Rs.5000 from his relatives and the same amount was given to jail warder Phrangsngi Kyndiah to purchase the mobile phone, Buam informed.
“Two weeks ago Kyndiah was arrested and discharged from service for his nexus with the jail inmates,” Buam added.