Kerala’s prison system is reeling from a series of scandals, including drug smuggling, unauthorized VIP visits, and high-profile escapes, prompting urgent calls for sweeping reforms to transform jails into true centers of rehabilitation. A shocking raid by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) at the home of assistant prison officer Shiras Basheer in Kochu Kadavanthra earlier this year uncovered Rs 76 lakh in unexplained wealth and exposed his alleged ties to drug traffickers supplying narcotics to inmates at Ernakulam district jail. Basheer, now suspended, is accused of funneling drugs into the facility with external accomplices handling payments.

The crisis deepened with the audacious escape of Govindachamy, convicted in the 2011 Soumya rape and murder case, from Kannur Central Jail in July 2025. This followed the January suspension of a Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and a Jail Superintendent for allowing controversial businessman Boby Chemmanur unauthorized visits to Kakkanad district jail, sparked by his offensive social media remarks about an actress. Recent weeks have seen six inmates caught with mobile phones in Kannur Central Jail alone, highlighting persistent security lapses.

A two-member committee, comprising retired High Court Judge Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair and former State Police Chief Jacob Punnoose, is investigating these issues. Justice Nair identified overcrowding as a critical problem, with Kerala’s 57 jails, designed for 7,828 inmates, currently housing 9,184 as of September 3, 2025. “Overcrowding and understaffing make constant monitoring impossible,” Nair told PTI, advocating for new jails, including an additional central prison, to enable meaningful reformation. The committee plans to visit all facilities to assess security standards, with a report expected in six months.

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Nair emphasized the need for modern technology, such as AI-enabled CCTV and motion-detection alarms, to monitor prisoners without violating their rights. “Kannur Central Jail had cameras during Govindachamy’s escape, but no one monitored them,” he said, calling for more watchtowers and the modernization of outdated facilities. Jail officials noted that escapes often occur during court appearances or hospital visits, with 14 escapees untraced since 2020. A partially operational video conferencing system for court hearings has failed to reduce physical transfers, exacerbating risks.

Former Director General of Prisons Alexander Jacob, who submitted a 300-page reform report during his tenure, stressed the need for a systemic overhaul, including changes in administration and prisoner management. While illegal activities in Kerala’s jails are less severe than in other states, he argued that complacency is not an option. The committee’s findings could reshape prison governance, but with public trust eroding, the pressure is on to deliver reforms that curb corruption and secure facilities.

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