The jailbreak by rape and murder convict Govindaswamy, alias Govindachamy, from the Kannur Central Prison has brought renewed attention to the glaring security inadequacies at certain high-security prisons in Kerala.

The incident spotlit long-standing infrastructure inadequacies, most notably the absence of electric fencing at the prison, despite earlier proposals to bolster perimeter security.

Official sources confirmed that security audits had been undertaken across the State’s correctional facilities and would now be intensified in the wake of the escape. It would entail a review of the surveillance and lighting systems in the State’s prisons.

CM convenes meeting

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will convene a high-level meeting on Saturday to discuss precautionary measures to prevent further lapses. The State Police Chief, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, and the Secretary of the Home department will participate in the meeting.

The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (North Zone) has been tasked with leading an internal inquiry that will examine lapses that may have facilitated Govindachamy’s escape. The jail authorities reportedly came to know about the escape only during the regular morning roll call.

An official privy to the matter stated that the police would also investigate whether wardens conducted surprise checks of cells without adhering to a predictable timetable. The probe would also likely examine whether night wardens undertook regular rounds inside the prison and patrolled the vast area outside the walls at night, the official said.

No rigorous bed checks

He stated that prima facie information suggested that Govindachamy had stocked civilian clothes and bedsheets to improvise a ‘rope’ in the high-security cell, indicating an alleged lapse on the part of the prison administration. “There seemed to have been no rigorous bed checks in Govindachamy’s cell, despite the authorities categorising him as a high-risk prisoner. Prison rules insist that wardens file a checklist after cell inspections,” he added.

The Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services are preparing to approach the State government to fast-track the installation of advanced perimeter security, including long-pending electric fencing projects.

The government had several years ago proposed to erect electric fencing and install laser-scanning systems at all jails in the State. However, while some Central Prisons, such as Poojappura, are equipped with electric fencing, the Kannur Central Prison remains vulnerable, with earlier proposals for upgrades yet to be implemented. Delays, officials said, had been exacerbated by a persistent fund crunch and bottlenecks on the part of implementing agencies.

The jailbreak will also reignite discussions on the wider challenges facing Kerala’s prison system, including overcrowding and staff shortages.

Official statistics indicate that the State’s 57 prisons have long surpassed their authorised capacities. These correctional facilities currently accommodate 10,662 inmates, far higher than their combined limit of 7,828. They include 4,224 convicts and 1339 undertrials.