Chapter IX Chapter IX

PROTECTION OF SOCIETY FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF HIGH-RISK PRISONERS, HABITUAL OFFENDERS AND HARDENED CRIMINALS

Taking appropriate measures against criminal activities of prisoners-

1. (1) It shall be the responsibility of the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services and the Police Department of the State to take all appropriate measures for protecting the society from the criminal activities of high-risk prisoners, habitual offenders and hardened criminals.
2. (2) Based on the details of the crime committed by the inmate, available background record, history ticket, etc., inmates shall be suitably classified, assessed for their propensity and potential to negatively influence other inmates and be housed in separate barracks or cells, as may be appropriate.
3. (3) With a view to protecting the society and the victims, high-risk prisoners, hardened criminals and habitual offenders shall not be entitled for parole, furlough, or any kind of prison leave in the normal course.

Special provisions for security, intelligence gathering, surveillance and rotation of prison staff on duty-

1. (1) Prisons and Correctional Institutions shall ensure special watch and surveillance on inmates for preventing organised crime and continued criminal activities while imprisoned, including gang activity, intimidating witnesses, etc.
2. (2) For ensuring dynamic security, preventing escapes, instances of disorder and criminal activity in prisons, appropriate provision for intelligence gathering from prisoners, careful observation, monitoring of prisoners and analysis of the relevant information may be done by the Prisons and Correctional Services in co-ordination with the Intelligence Wing of the State Police Department.
3. (3) The State shall ensure strengthened and effective measures for periodic search and detection of contraband, cell phones, etc., in the cells and barracks of high-risk offenders and hardened criminals and deploy advanced jamming solutions in such areas, including conduct of frequent surprise checks.
4. (4) The prison and other security staff deployed in such sensitive barracks and cells shall be rotated at periodic intervals to prevent any nexus and complacency in security.
5. (5) The release of a high-risk convict or hardened or habitual offender on completion of the sentence or an under-trial on bail or an inmate released temporarily on parole or furlough, etc., shall be informed to the Superintendent of Police of the concerned district as well as the Superintendent of Police of the home district of the prisoner, who shall keep watch on the activities of such prisoners.
6. (6) The district administration shall fully secure the movement of the prisoner, in the course of movement to court for judicial proceedings, to the hospital for medical treatment or any other place, as per writ, warrant or order of the competent authority, as the case may be.

Use of electronic tracking devices on prisoners- Prisoners may be granted prison leave on the condition of their willingness to wear electronic tracking devices for monitoring the movement and activities of such prisoners. Any violation by the prisoner shall attract cancellation of prison leave, in addition to disqualification from any prison leave being granted in future, as may be prescribed under the rules.