Karnataka rolls out AI-driven surveillance to strengthen prison security

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Saturday inaugurated a Central Command Centre for prisons in the State, a step towards foolproof security checks in State prisons. The initiative is part of a comprehensive, technology-driven surveillance and management plan rolled out by the Karnataka government to strengthen prison security and monitoring.

The plan focuses on enhanced inmate monitoring, crowd control, and tracking staff movements through advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and checks any untoward incidents in the prisons across the State, Mr. Parameshwara said adding that this system will also ensure discipline and high alertness among the staff as they will be under a constant watch. He pointed out that contraband entering prisons was primarily due to staff negligence and asserted that strict vigilance could prevent such lapses. “Nothing should enter prisons unnoticed. It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure this,” he added.

Explaining the key highlights of the centre, Mr. Paramseshwara said that 1,076 cameras with AI-based Intrusion Detection System will be installed in 332 prison blocks across Karnataka to detect unauthorised movements and security breaches. Crowd analysis technology will monitor prisoner gatherings and staff movements to prevent disturbances and jailbreak attempts. A round-the-clock surveillance will be ensured in all sensitive prison areas through upgraded monitoring systems, he said.

A 20-member staff at the centralised control rooms will oversee surveillance operations, enabling real-time response to emergencies. Lock-up and unlock procedures will be digitised to minimise human error and prevent misuse. Regular audits and inspections will be carried out to assess compliance and system efficiency, sources said.

The Central Command Centre has been established following recommendations by a high-level committee headed by ADGP (Law and Order) R Hitendra, which suggested that a centralised command system would strengthen prison administration.

The government has also directed prison authorities to strictly adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure that any violations are promptly reported and acted upon. Officials said the initiative aims to modernise Karnataka’s prison infrastructure, improve transparency, and enhance safety for inmates, staff, and visitors. The circular mandates immediate implementation of the measures across all central, district, and sub-jails in the State.

Mr. Parameshwara also announced that the Chief Minister had approved recruitment in the Prisons and Correctional Services Department, noting that no major recruitment had taken place for several years. “Immediate steps will be taken to fill vacancies,” he said.