Dharwad
In response to the increasing cases of smuggling banned substances into Central Prison, steps are being taken to enhance security. Four watchtowers are currently under construction as part of these efforts. The prison environment has changed due to the entry of notorious criminals and the influence of certain inmates receiving VIP treatment.
Many of these criminals, primarily based in Bengaluru, prefer to stay in Dharwad Jail due to concerns about rival inmates in Bengaluru facilities. However, their presence has raised safety concerns for other inmates who are not habitual offenders.
In the past, the inmates at Dharwad Jail were well-known and friendly figures in the community, often seen selling fresh vegetables grown within the prison. Currently, there are 577 inmates, including women, in the facility. Despite being upgraded to Central Prison status, Dharwad Jail faces staffing shortages, particularly with warders, and lacks high-security cells for dangerous criminals.
The construction of the four watchtowers is 75% complete, with each tower standing at 30 feet tall and costing Rs 1 crore. A total of 55 CCTV cameras have been installed inside the jail, along with 10 on the outer premises. These measures aim to monitor movements inside and outside the prison, making it easier to detect attempts to smuggle items into the facility.
