The continued use of mobile phones by criminals incarcerated in jails remains a critical issue that the government has yet to address effectively
One pressing issue that the government has yet to effectively address is the continued use of mobile phones by criminals incarcerated in jails-an issue that persists even in high-security prisons. The seizure of mobile phones from inmates has become an all-too-common occurrence, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies attempting to dismantle the nexus of organised crime operating from behind bars.
A primary reason for the rampant use of mobile phones inside jails lies in the unholy alliance between gang leaders within the prisons and certain jail authorities.
This collaboration, coupled with the ineffective use of modern technology to prevent unauthorised mobile phone usage, has allowed the problem to spiral out of control. The issue has reached such alarming proportions due to the lack of strategic deployment of advanced solutions that are readily available today.
The consequences of mobile phone usage within jails extend far beyond facilitating criminal activities. It poses a direct threat to national security, compromises the safety of prison staff, and jeopardises public safety.
While maintaining a robust telecommunication network within prisons is critical in today’s mobile-driven world, the problem arises when authorities fail to leverage the latest technologies to either restrict or control mobile phone usage in designated areas.
One technology that has been available for years is the mobile jammer, which disrupts mobile networks within a limited radius. However, this solution has proven ineffective, as it does not guarantee 100 per cent disruption of mobile services and, in some cases, hampers the network’s functionality outside the prison-affecting areas like residential neighbourhoods. Despite its widespread use in jails across India, the jammer’s limitations have become apparent.
In 2017, the “Tower-Harmonious Call Blocking System” (T-HCBS) was introduced, but it has yielded minimal results.
Even after the installation of T-HCBS towers, the use of mobile phones in prisons continued unabated. Telecom companies have failed to provide a mechanism for real-time monitoring of the system’s effectiveness, leaving authorities without the tools needed to measure its success or identify shortcomings.
A recent investigation by the Delhi police in connection with a shootout at a Tilak Nagar car showroom uncovered a shocking revelation. The two main suspects, who are currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, were using 5G-enabled phones to bypass mobile jammers. Although Tihar Jail, which houses around 20,000 inmates, is equipped with over 15 mobile jammers, these devices are outdated, designed for 4G networks, while the current technology in use is 5G. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for the installation of updated jammers and infrastructure in Delhi’s jails-a process that could take several months.
The scale of the problem is underscored by the discovery of over 500 phones and internet dongles during surprise raids conducted across three Delhi prisons in the past two years. Despite the Delhi government and the Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledging the issue and establishing a high-powered committee two years ago to address the problem, progress has been hindered by red tape and slow-moving bureaucracy. The primary obstacle remains the reluctance of government officials to prioritise and implement the appropriate technologies needed to tackle the crisis.
In addition to aiding organised crime syndicates, the presence of mobile phones in jails has had unforeseen consequences for residents living near prison complexes. This interference with the mobile network has caused a decline in property values in the vicinity of the jail, a stark contrast to the property booms seen in other parts of Delhi.
The lack of a reliable mobile network has created serious problems for residents, particularly in emergencies, and has significant economic consequences as businesses and daily services reliant on mobile communication are disrupted.
This problem is not unique to Tihar Jail or Delhi; similar issues have been reported from prisons in other metro cities. While mobile communication technologies continue to advance rapidly, there are modern solutions that can effectively address the issue of blocking mobile networks within high-security prisons. These advanced systems do not merely block mobile calls but also enable real-time detection and location tracking of illicit mobile phone usage within the facility.
For example, digitally managed systems are available that can maintain desired signal levels within a jail, granting authorities full control over the mobile network.
These systems allow jail management to track, locate, and identify radio signals, pinpointing the source of illegal mobile phone use. By using such technologies, jail authorities can quickly identify and neutralise unauthorised mobile devices in the prison, making it a powerful deterrent against criminal activity.
The real question, however, is how long will it take for Indian jails to receive the necessary technological upgrades to combat the proliferation of contraband mobile phones? This problem is widespread across the country, from Tihar Jail in Delhi to Yerawada Jail in Pune, Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu, and Naini Jail in Allahabad–homes to some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals, gangsters, terrorists, and mafias.
It is clear that timely intervention from government authorities to equip prisons with advanced technology to block unauthorised mobile networks, detect illegal phone use, and track mobile phone locations is urgently needed to restore control and curb the spread of criminal activities within our jails.
(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)
