Video-conferencing facility in jails defunct

TaruShiya

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posted on 12 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsTwo years have passed since the introduction of the video-conferencing system in the Prison Department, in four districts of the state.Most of the systems have gone defunct and the judges are not posting cases using the system owing to technical snags, said sources within the department.The Central Government recently earmarked `14 crore for the extension of the facility to nine other districts under the guidance of the 13th Finance Commission.KELTRON, owned by the state government, will install the system in the other jails and funds have been allocated for the same. “The system was first introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur two years ago and about `1 crore has been spent for the same.“Under the project, the district and sub-jails were to be connected with the High Court and the other courts in the district.“But after the installation of the system, no cases have been posted. Some of the systems have undergone technical snags and even after several reminders the company concerned has not undertaken the maintenance works.“Such advanced systems are extensively put to use these days for connecting with the other jails,” an official said. Alexander Jacob, Director General of Prisons Department, said that the system would be launched in Kannur soon and the existing facility faced no issues.“The system has been very successful in the four districts and the trials of some prominent cases have been conducted using video conferencing. The trial for the accused in terror cases is also conducted using the system,” he said.However, the prison wardens in the four districts said that the system has not even been used once for the said purpose. The facility has been used only in the Ernakulam sub-jail for the trial of the Bangalore bomb blast case. One of the superintendents of the district jail said that the system has not been used since its inception two years ago. “The system has not been used for conducting the trials. It has gathered dust and has become defunct. Its usage would have saved money for the department,” he said.first published:August 13, 2012, 10:45 ISTlast updated:August 13, 2012, 10:45 IST
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Two years have passed since the introduction of the video-conferencing system in the Prison Department, in four districts of the state.

Most of the systems have gone defunct and the judges are not posting cases using the system owing to technical snags, said sources within the department.

The Central Government recently earmarked `14 crore for the extension of the facility to nine other districts under the guidance of the 13th Finance Commission.

KELTRON, owned by the state government, will install the system in the other jails and funds have been allocated for the same. “The system was first introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur two years ago and about `1 crore has been spent for the same.

“Under the project, the district and sub-jails were to be connected with the High Court and the other courts in the district.

“But after the installation of the system, no cases have been posted. Some of the systems have undergone technical snags and even after several reminders the company concerned has not undertaken the maintenance works.

“Such advanced systems are extensively put to use these days for connecting with the other jails,” an official said. Alexander Jacob, Director General of Prisons Department, said that the system would be launched in Kannur soon and the existing facility faced no issues.

“The system has been very successful in the four districts and the trials of some prominent cases have been conducted using video conferencing. The trial for the accused in terror cases is also conducted using the system,” he said.

However, the prison wardens in the four districts said that the system has not even been used once for the said purpose. The facility has been used only in the Ernakulam sub-jail for the trial of the Bangalore bomb blast case. One of the superintendents of the district jail said that the system has not been used since its inception two years ago. “The system has not been used for conducting the trials. It has gathered dust and has become defunct. Its usage would have saved money for the department,” he said.