Chapter XII CUSTODY AND SECURITY OF PRISONERS

Safe custody and security of prisoners-

1. (1) The officer-in-charge of the prison shall be responsible to undertake effective measures for ensuring safe custody and security of prisoners. These measures may not be limited to but may include the following: Secure walls, buildings, gates, good lighting system, central point monitoring of prisoners, watch towers, power fencing, control of prohibited articles, system for gathering intelligence information, closed circuit televisions and other advanced gadgets and devices for guarding purposes and preventing access to prohibited articles in prisons, etc.
2. (2) The Head of Prisons and Correctional Services shall be empowered to transfer a prisoner to any other prison in the State, as may be prescribed under the rules.
3. (3) On the request of the officer-in-charge, the local police authorities shall provide necessary assistance to the prison authorities for escorting a prisoner to a court or for visits to hospitals or for custody parole, etc., and for ensuring the safe custody of any prisoner who poses a special risk, including escape from prison, rioting, arson or resorting to any violent means affecting the law and order and discipline in the prison.
4. (4) The manner of use of restraint and force on prisoners may be regulated as prescribed under the rules.

Visits to Prisoners-

1. (1) Prisoners may communicate with their visitors, namely family members, relatives and friends through physical or virtual mode, under the proper supervision of prison authorities. Visitors to inmates shall be verified or authenticated through biometric verification or identification.
2. (2) The name, address, photograph and biometric identification of each visitor shall be entered in the records as prescribed under the rules.
3. (3) Foreign prisoners may communicate with their family members and consular representatives, as prescribed under the rules.
4. (4) Prisoners may communicate with their legal counsels, as prescribed under the rules.

Search of visitors and prison officers and staff-

1. (1) All visitors to prisoners shall be searched in a manner as prescribed under the rules.
2. (2) In case any visitor refuses to allow search, he shall be denied admission to the prison and such decision shall be entered in the records.
3. (3) Appropriate provisions for search of visitors who are women, transgenders or persons with disabilities may be made, as prescribed under the rules.
4. (4) All prison officers and staff shall be searched upon each entry into the prison and each exit from the prison.