Haryana for radio tags on convicts on parole

The device,which will be in the form of an anklet or a bracelet,will be put on the prisoner for the duration of his stay outside prison.

The radio-tagging system a first for India will be implemented in Yamunanagar district to begin with.

The Indian government as well as political parties had expressed outrage at the radio-tagging of the Tri-Valley University students,criticising the US procedure of tracking their movements as undemocratic,unwarranted and inhuman.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on the incident and asked the government for a report. US authorities subsequently removed the tracking devices.

The Haryana Police say the move to radio-tag prisoners has been prompted by increasing incidents of crime by them while on parole.

One of three criminals shot dead by the Haryana Police in a recent encounter was a wanted jailbird who had not returned after being released on parole. He had continued to commit heinous crimes, Additional Director General of Police B S Sandhu told The Indian Express.

We have tied up with Taiwans TeamSharp Electrotech Inc. to supply

us with the movement monitoring gadgets, Sandhu said.

A final clearance is,however,due from the government,as the move requires an amendment in the provisions of the

Good Conduct of Prisoners Act.

According to Sandhu,30-35 of the current 140 parole-jumpers in Haryana are hardcore criminals. The monitoring bracelet or anklet will be first put on prisoners serving jail terms for murder,rape,dacoity or extortion.

The device chosen by the Haryana Police,the Rugged Personal/Offender Tracking and Communication Bracelet,PT-500,costs around Rs 20,000 per unit,and is currently in service with the South African police. The device is waterproof and vibrationproof,and can withstand 100 pounds of direct pressure.

The gadget is equipped with software to broadcast the convicts movements while on parole.

Any attempt to take off,tamper with,or damage the device will send an alert to prison authorities.

We can change the settings on the bracelet or anklet in any desired way. The reporting device can be either a mobile phone or a control room,which will receive signals from the bracelet or anklet, said a senior officer.

The company is ready to supply the units. We have to work out certain modalities at our end,after which we can place the order, Sandhu said.