Cuttack, July 23: Ninety-six closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will constantly monitor inmate activity at the Choudwar Circle Jail here. The authorities have already finished installing the CCTV cameras and three pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras at wards and other areas on the premises.

The full HD (high definition) cameras installed both inside and outside the jail are weather-proof and equipped with night vision. The sophisticated PTZ cameras have a range of up to 500m and can cover large distances in a single frame, official sources said.

The cameras have been installed at a cost of Rs 70 lakh.

The cameras were installed to improve the security system and ensure effective monitoring of activities of inmates, who include some of the most dreaded gangsters of the state. Tightening jail security had become necessary after allegations of narcotic and other items easily making their way into the jail.

CCTV cameras were first installed in the jail in 2008. But none of the 52 cameras installed at that time are in working condition. They have been defunct since 2012.

"The trial run of the new CCTV surveillance system is on. The system will start functioning within the next two to three days," said jail superintendent Niranjan Das.

"We have installed CCTV cameras at all the general wards and high security wards to monitor the activities of undertrials and convicts. A control room has also been set up at the jail office to keep a watch on inmates," Das said.

Jail officials said cameras have also been installed at the jail's medical unit, kitchen, and entry and exit points, meeting hall, free space, boundary wall and wards. They said the CCTVs would act as a deterrent for the inmates as footage that could be used as evidence would be readily available in case of any untoward incident.

In 2008, the jail introduced 2G mobile jammers across its sprawling 20-acre premises. But the advancement of spectrum technology has made them obsolete.

Upgrading of the jammer with the most advanced technology available - either 3G or 4G - is under active consideration, jail officials said. They conceded that the jail was not equipped with jammers of the required capacity to check prisoners from using mobile phones, which they get access to while meeting visitors.

The police have conducted raids on the jail in the recent past, the last one being on June 4. Apart from narcotic substances, six pocket diaries were recovered from different cells.<>In a raid in March last year, four pocket diaries containing phone numbers, a gold chain weighing 158gm, Rs 12,500 in cash and 31 packets of energy drinks were recovered from the jail.