Drugs to DVDs, jail inmates get it all

Ahmedabad: Here, money rules the roost. Everything is available for a price right from hashish to DVDs of the latest Bollywood movies. And, we are talking about the high-security Sabarmati Central Jail which houses some of the most notorious and dreaded criminals of Gujarat.
This issue of corruption behind bars has erupted with some members of the jail staff sending a letter to the Gujarat High Court informing about corrupt practices within the jail premises on Thursday.
Trouble seems to be dogging the high-security jail campus. On Wednesday, a controversy erupted at the jail campus when 61 Lok Rakshaks were turned away when they went to report for duty. The Lok Rakshaks were deployed recently to beef up security within the jail campus. While that issue has been resolved, this letter is threatening to open up a pandoras box. The letter, a copy of which is with TOI, says that gambling takes place at the Bara Chakkar in the jail campus right in broad daylight near the Saibaba temple. "Jail coupons and money are used to gamble," said the letter.
More than 700 mobile phones circulate within the jail campus. "Whoever has phones charges the other inmates Rs 50 per minute to allow them to talk to their contacts outside and family members," said the letter.
That is not the end. The letter gives details on a variety of other illegal activities: For a price of Rs 5,000 one can get a mobile phone inside the jail premises. Between 7 pm and 8 pm everyday, motorbike police patrolling within the campus smuggle in alcohol, sold at a premium.
"To smuggle in narcotic substances, some corrupt police guards take out the magazines of their carbines and fill the space with narcotic substances to smuggle it inside the jail," said the letter.
According to the letter, the jail bhajia centre also is a hub of corruption. To get a stint at the jail bhajia centre inmates are ready to pay a fee of Rs 15,000. The reason is that at the bhajia centre sales allow the inmates to earn some money on the sly.
The letter also alleges that very often inmates beat up jail police staff. Even family members who come to meet inmates are troubled and harassed till they part with Rs 400-500 for each visit. "Before the jail is raided, inmates are informed well in advance. When the raid is conducted mobile phones are hidden inside the soak pits," the jail staff alleged.
Additional DG, Jails, Rajan Priyadarshi said: "We register criminal offences against those found violating jail norms. All possible steps are being taken to sanitise the jail campus. A writ in this regard has also been made in Gujarat High Court. This matter is being investigated by the city crime branch. We are also prepared for inquiry by an outside agency."
JAIL SALE
Banned items Rate card
Mobile Rs 5,000
Charger Rs 1,000
Charas Rs 5,000
Tobacco Rs 100
Alcohol Rs 500
DVD Rs 4,000
One litre cooking oil Rs 200
One kg chilly powder Rs 200
box
Finally, authorities take a call
Additional DG, Jails, Rajan Priyadarshi said: "We have come to know that calls can be made from within the campus using mobile connections of certain service providers. This, despite having mobile jammers inside the campus. So, we have asked all the six mobile phone service providers operating in Gujarat to install their jammers inside the jail," said Priyadarshi. Priyadarshi has also sent a proposal to the state government seeking permission to set up public telephones within the jail campus. "The phones will be kept under observation and all conversations will be recorded. This will cut down on the illegal use of mobile phones inside the high-security campus. Such a system is prevalent in Karnataka jails," said Priyadarshi.