Ferozepur Jail security breached again: 40 mobiles recovered on second consecutive day
Ferozepur, January 30, 2025: In a startling security lapse, 40 mobile phones were thrown over the high walls of Ferozepur Jail by unidentified individuals, marking the second consecutive day of such incidents. This breach comes despite a 24x7 three-layer security system, raising serious concerns about smuggling activities inside the prison. A day earlier, 23 mobile phones were also recovered from 11 inmates.
In January alone, authorities seized 113 mobile phones from the prison premises. The breakdown of recoveries includes 10 on January 10, 2 on January 13, 10 on January 17, 18 on January 20, 5 on January 23, 1 on January 24, 23 on January 28, and unclaimed 40 mobiles thrown from outside on January 29. Additionally, banned items such as data cables, tobacco sachets, bidis, and cigarette packs were confiscated. This brings the total count of mobile recoveries in 2025 to 113, compared to a staggering 510 phones seized last year, along with various contraband materials.
The recent recovery, made during a search operation led by the Assistant Superintendent, highlights ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities inside the prison. However, the persistent smuggling of mobile phones undermines the very purpose of incarceration, allowing inmates to maintain external communication and potentially engage in unlawful activities.
It has been observed that except in high-profile cases, there is little follow-up on mobile recoveries, and taking prisoners into custody for further investigation is often deemed a security risk. The prison's vulnerability is further compounded by its open areas at the back and proximity to a densely populated neighbourhood with high-rise buildings.
To effectively address this issue, stricter security measures must be enforced both inside and outside the jail premises, particularly at entry points and open areas at the rear. Additionally, restrictions on visitation and parole should be considered for inmates found in possession of contraband during search operations. These steps are crucial to preventing further breaches and ensuring that prisons serve their intended purpose of confinement and rehabilitation.