Bengaluru: In response to multiple security breaches, including a terror suspect using a mobile phone and videos of inmates partying inside Bengaluru central prison, the Karnataka government has approved a proposal by the prison department to appoint 550 former military personnel as security guards at an annual cost of Rs 20 crore.
Recruitment Process Initiated
Alok Kumar, director general of police (prisons), has written to the director of the State Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society to start the recruitment process. Officials stated that this will be a temporary arrangement until the government fills over 1,200 vacant jail warden posts.
Deployment and Responsibilities
Ex-servicemen will be deployed to strengthen surveillance, discipline, and overall prison management and correctional institutions. Applicants must be below 45 years of age, capable of completing a 3km run within 20 minutes, meet physical fitness standards, and have no criminal background.
Investigations into repeated cases of illegal smuggling of mobile phones, ganja, and other contraband into prisons revealed that some people were throwing them into jail premises from outside the compound walls, especially in areas where there were fewer or no guards. It is said ex-servicemen will be deployed at such vulnerable points.
Financial Approval and Recruitment Process
The finance department has granted Rule 4(g) exemption under the KTPP Act, bypassing a tender process and allowing direct recruitment on a contract basis. Kumar told TOI that ex-defence personnel will be trained for their new responsibilities.
"We will deploy them at places where they do not have direct contact with inmates," he said. He added that the department will assess the effectiveness of the arrangement and submit a report to the government.
Distribution Across Prisons
Sources said the prison department will deploy 455 ex-servicemen to seven central prisons, including 250 at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. The remaining ex-servicemen will be posted in eight district prisons across the state.
- Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru: 250
- Kalaburagi: 55
- Mysuru: 45
- Ballari: 35
- Hindalaga, Belagavi: 30
- Shivamogga: 30
- Dharwad: 10
The remaining 95 ex-servicemen will be posted in district prisons across the state.
