Bhubaneswar, July 21: The fourth meeting of the Odisha Prison Development Board was held on Monday under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, with a focus on enhancing prison security and improving inmate welfare across the state.

Constituted in 2022, the Board comprises nine departmental secretaries, along with the Director General of Prisons and the Director of Correctional Services. During the meeting, members reviewed the progress of several initiatives undertaken over the past year to modernise prison management and strengthen security.

Officials informed the Board that AI-enabled CCTV cameras with video analytics have been installed in 20 jails across Odisha. Security has also been upgraded through the installation of higher perimeter walls fitted with concertina wire. Modern surveillance equipment, including drones, body-worn cameras, handheld and door-frame metal detectors, deep search metal detectors and non-linear junction detectors for identifying hidden mobile phones, has also been introduced. Prison intelligence units have been established, while more convicted inmates are being engaged in internal security duties.

The Board reiterated that inmates will continue to be allowed only two telephone calls of four minutes each per week, as per the Prison Manual. Regular security audits, surprise inspections and visits by senior prison officials, district police, intelligence agencies, judicial officers and the District Legal Services Authority will also continue.

The meeting also reviewed measures aimed at improving inmates' well-being and rehabilitation. As part of these efforts, 118 yoga trainers have been deployed in 74 jails, while 61 mental health counsellors are working in 36 prisons. Additionally, 96 micro-industries have been established inside jails to promote productive engagement.

During a special skill development drive conducted in 2025, 1,636 inmates received vocational training. The Board also discussed plans to standardise and brand prison-made products to improve rehabilitation opportunities after release.

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