KOLKATA: The state government has decided to install jammers with improved technology that will be able to restrict voiceover even from a phone with a 4G connection. This will initially be installed in three correctional houses – Aliopore Central, Dum Dum Central and the Presidency Jail – the first correctional houses in the country to benefit from this modern technology.

The state government was keen to install signal jammer inside the prison so that the inmates would not have the opportunity to get in touch with the outside world, but for this the state government needed authorization from the central Cabinet Security Cell - the body that decides on the specification and frequency of these devices. “Recently, we received the green light from the central government and they referred Bharat Electricals Limited and Electronic Corporation of India Limited for the job. We have solicited offers from both organisations,” said the State Minister for Corrections, Haider Ali Safi.

“More importantly, as all telecom companies launch their 4G services, current devices with frequencies set for 2G and 3G services will not be able to block voiceover from 4G-enabled phones. So we asked them to upgrade their devices. "

“Each month, we collect 80-90 cell phones from the prisons and it is very difficult to stop the inmates from getting the phones from outside. With the help of these phones, they can control their outside world very easily “said sources in the prison. .