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Madurai: From surprise inspections to mandatory evening video reviews, Tamil Nadu ’s new prisons chief K Shankar has ordered daily security checks across 125 prisons following the escape of 17 inmates from Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni.
K Shankar, director general of prisons and correctional services, told TOI that officials have been directed to verify CCTV cameras, locks, perimeter fencing and security barriers daily. Prison heads are told to report their compliance directly to headquarters in Chennai.
The crackdown follows the October 26 jailbreak at Thekkampatti, where 17 inmates attacked guards and escaped after staging a medical emergency. The prison housed 334 inmates against a capacity of 200. Tamil Nadu’s prison system has around 24,000 inmates and a sanctioned workforce of 5,489 personnel, with vacancies affecting guard deployment.
The daily reporting requirement means prison heads must now account for inmates, available guards and security equipment directly to Chennai headquarters rather than rely solely on periodic inspections. (With inputs from Shanmughasundaram J) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
“A daily video conference is conducted at 7pm with heads of all central prisons, district prisons and sub-jails,” a senior prisons department official said. Shankar also said personnel previously deployed for non-security duties had been reassigned to guarding inmates. During each review, an officer is picked at random and asked to immediately provide inmate numbers and staff deployment details. The exercise is intended to identify understaffed facilities before security lapses occur. Headquarters will also compile daily reports on prison occupancy, personnel availability and security arrangements. Nine personnel were subsequently suspended. Armed guards have also been deployed at watchtowers, while unannounced inspections and random headcounts will supplement the evening reviews. Download the TOI App.