VASCO: The CCTV cameras at Sada sub jail can only see, but not record due to a breakdown of the system motherboard. What is surprising is that the jail authorities noticed the fault four months ago, but did not take up the repair work.
As per Sada jail officials, 24 CCTV cameras were installed in the jail premises in 2012. The cameras were installed at important points to keep comprehensive monitoring and a heightened level of security in the jail. But these cameras can only provide live footage, they cannot record anything. The jail officials have only been sending letters seeking repairs for the last four months.
“CCTVs are important for us, and thus, the moment I got to know about the malfunctioning cameras, I wrote a letter to Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), which looks after the maintenance of CCTVs, requesting it to immediately repair the CCTV system. A letter was also sent to the IGP for action. Even few reminders have been sent to GEL, but the repairs works are yet to be taken up,” informed a senior jail official on condition of anonymity.
Preetam Keluskar, a social activist from Vasco, stated, “In the past, we have read from newspapers about banned products sneaking inside Sada jail, inmates using mobile phone or getting VIP treatment and how one can party within the prison walls. If there is no recording, then there is no comprehensive monitoring, and more importantly, no evidence. It is hard to say whether the jail authorities themselves are delaying to get the system repair with some hidden agenda or genuinely there has been a delay by the people maintaining the CCTVs. But as a citizen, I feel that such issues should have been given utmost importance and should not take four months.”
When contacted for his reaction on the issue, Inspector General of Prisons (IGP) Elvis Gomes stated, “Yes, it is true that due to technical reasons the recording facility from the CCTV footage is unavailable. The issue came to my notice just yesterday and I have asked my officials to coordinate with GEL and get the system repaired by Monday.”
When contacted, GEL Chairman Dattaprasad Naik claimed that the contract between GEL and Sada Jail was not renewed, but if jail authorities make an official request, GEL would do something to get the system repaired.
