Question : USE OF MOBILE PHONE BY JAIL INMATES

(a) whether there are reports that calls were made abroad by jail inmates in various jails of the country by using mobile phones;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the total number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Union Government has received any request from any State Government to enquire into such cases by Central Intelligence Agency; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)

(a): Recently, 120 mobile phones have been confiscated from the prisoners during the searches conducted in various jails in Kerala by the prison officials.

(b): “Prison” is a State subject as per entry 4 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Therefore, the administration and management of prisons is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. Data is not compiled centrally in this regard.

(c) to (d): Government of Kerala has requested Government of India for investigation.