Tamil Nadu forms panel to review prison security after inmate escape
A committee led by retired IPS officer JK Tripathy will examine security infrastructure and lapses following the escape of 17 inmates.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has appointed a high-level committee to review prison security across the state, according to South First. The move comes one week after 17 inmates escaped from the Theni District Jail on October 26.
The panel will be chaired by retired IPS officer and former Director General of Police JK Tripathy. Members include Additional Director General of Police and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services K Shankar, and retired Deputy Inspector General of Prisons S Rajendran.
The committee is tasked with investigating security lapses and examining manpower deployment, technological gaps, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and security infrastructure. It has been asked to suggest comprehensive measures to improve security by looking at practices used in other parts of India and abroad.
The escape occurred around 10 pm when prisoners claimed an inmate in the third block was having an epileptic seizure. A Grade II police constable, Stalin Prabhu, entered the block to check on the inmate but was allegedly attacked and overpowered by the prisoners.
The inmates reportedly attacked guards at the main entrance, seized the keys, and opened the gate to flee. At the time of the incident, the Theni District Jail was housing 334 prisoners, which is 134 inmates beyond its sanctioned capacity of 200.
Tamil Nadu Prisons Director General of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore has suspended nine prison personnel for dereliction of duty. The Chief Minister has ordered that security be improved immediately and that those negligent in their duties be held accountable.