Date:09/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010919970200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Telephone facility for inmates of Central Jail

Special Correspondent

It will be provided on an experimental basis

Prisoners will be allowed to receive only incoming calls

The cost has been estimated at Rs. 2.28 lakh

BANGALORE: As part of prison reforms, the Home Department has decided to provide telephone facility for prisoners at the Central Jail in Parappana Agrahara here on an experimental basis.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Home Minister M.P. Prakash said that a decision had been taken to set up eight telephone booths inside the jail. However, prisoners would be allowed only to receive incoming calls. Their relatives could make calls for a maximum of two minutes.

A metal cabinet would be installed to each telephone booth to record calls.

The department had approached Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Airtel to set up booths. The cost had been estimated at Rs. 2.28 lakh. If the experiment was successful, the facility would be extended to other jails in the State, Mr. Prakash said.