Kannur city police have intensified their focus on prison security after repeated incidents of mobile phone smuggling inside the Central Jail. To tackle the issue, a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the direct supervision of Kannur City Police Commissioner Nidhinraj IPS. The team’s primary responsibility is to trace the entry points of mobile phones and accessories into the prison and to identify the networks facilitating the smuggling. This move reflects growing concern over how inmates manage to obtain communication devices despite existing security checks.
Investigations so far have revealed that the problem is neither isolated nor recent. At least eight separate cases of mobile phone seizures have been registered this year alone, and each inspection has uncovered not just phones but also supporting accessories such as chargers, earphones, and even power banks. Prisoners have devised inventive hiding spots for these devices, making detection extremely difficult. Phones have been discovered under water tanks, behind cell blocks, and inside ventilators, pointing to both the ingenuity of inmates and lapses in surveillance.
A surprise inspection last month demonstrated the scale of the challenge. Three mobile phones were discovered in different hiding spots — under a tank behind the new block, inside the bathroom ventilator of the 5th block, and behind the 6th block. The police subsequently arrested a man accused of throwing contraband items over the prison walls. His confession revealed an organized system in which he was paid Rs 1,000 for each item smuggled in, with the orders often placed through the friends or relatives of inmates. This highlights a coordinated external-internal link that sustains the flow of illegal goods into the jail.
The urgency of the SIT’s formation was amplified by the recent jailbreak of notorious convict Govindachami on July 25. Despite being housed in the high-security block, he managed to escape, although police recaptured him within hours. His escape, however, sent shockwaves through the state, exposing glaring security weaknesses within the prison system. In response, four jail officials were suspended, and the prison authorities were directed to step up surveillance, particularly around high-risk prisoners.
The SIT is expected to not only trace the supply chain of phones entering the jail but also recommend long-term security enhancements. Authorities are now looking into tighter entry-point monitoring, stricter visitor regulations, and the deployment of advanced surveillance systems. The issue of contraband phones in prisons remains a serious concern across Kerala, and the Kannur case has once again underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms in prison management.
