Odisha to Expand AI Surveillance in Prisons to Curb Escapes, Violence
Apart from AI surveillance, the state government is increasing the height of prison boundary walls and installing modern security equipment to improve overall safety
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to strengthen prison security by expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based surveillance systems across jails to prevent inmate escapes, detect violent incidents, and curb alleged collusion between prison staff and criminals.
The decision was taken at the fourth meeting of the State Jail Development Board, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Tuesday, where officials reviewed prison security, inmate welfare and infrastructure development across the state.
Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Sushanta Nath said AI-enabled CCTV cameras equipped with video analytics have already been installed in 20 prisons. The system is capable of automatically detecting suspicious movements, inmate clashes or other unusual activities inside prison wards and immediately triggering alerts for security personnel.
"Every year, around 10 to 12 inmates attempt to escape from prisons in the state. The AI surveillance system is expected to significantly strengthen monitoring and help prevent such incidents," Nath said.
Apart from AI surveillance, the state government is increasing the height of prison boundary walls and installing modern security equipment to improve overall safety.
The meeting also reviewed measures aimed at inmate rehabilitation and welfare. As part of efforts to improve the physical and mental well-being of prisoners, 120 yoga instructors have been engaged in 74 jails, while 61 mental health counsellors have been appointed in 36 prisons.
To promote rehabilitation through livelihood generation, the government is focusing on establishing 110 micro-industrial units inside prisons so that inmates can acquire vocational skills and become self-reliant after their release.
Officials informed the Board that new model prisons are currently under construction in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Bhadrak.
The Board also discussed measures for improving food quality, access to safe drinking water, mental healthcare and de-addiction services for nearly 19,500 inmates lodged in prisons across Odisha. Increasing the strength of prison staff and warders also figured in the deliberations.
Among the long-term proposals reviewed were the establishment of seven open-air prisons at Cuttack, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Angul, Baripada, Phulbani and one other location, as well as a proposal to rationalise the number of prisons in the state, which currently stands at 86.
Officials further informed the meeting that a dedicated prison intelligence unit has been strengthened, regular security audits are being conducted, and strict action is being taken against officials found negligent in the discharge of their duties.
The rehabilitation initiatives have also shown encouraging progress. During 2025, as many as 1,636 inmates received skill development training, while 218 prisoners successfully completed various educational courses during 2025-26. In addition, prison authorities facilitated the filing of 2,418 appeals and 256 Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) to ensure legal assistance for inmates.
The Jail Development Board, constituted in 2022, comprises the Chief Secretary as chairman, the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services as member, and secretaries of nine state government departments concerned. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the departments concerned.
