Rampant smuggling of mobile phones, narcotic substances and even weapons – mostly hidden inside body cavities – into the Tihar premises, have now prompted the jail authorities to remind the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to speed-up its feasibility study on full body scanners proposed to be installed in the central jail.
“AERB had taken up the task more than two years ago but we are yet to get the go-ahead signal, nor have we received any report on the same. Now, we have reminded them again. We can proceed with tender invitation and cost evaluation only after receiving the green signal,” said Mukesh Prasad, DIG (Prisons) in Tihar Jail.
“The central jail needs at least one full body scanner in each of the ten <g data-gr-id="37">jails,</g> so that mobile phones, narcotic substances, currency notes and weapons smuggled by hiding inside body cavities can be detected.
Presently, the jail is doing with ordinary metal detectors which fail to do that,” said Prasad.
“However, the biggest challenge is dealing with the radiation issue concerned with full body scanners. That is what the AERB study is particularly focussed on,” he further added.
According to a source, the jail authorities had completed two round of trials with regard to full body scanners inside the jail premises in 2012. Further formalities <g data-gr-id="35">included,</g> looking into technical specifications, getting a green signal from AERB and inviting global tenders.
However, back then, AERB had informed that the study shall take time and, notably, the proposal was for five full body scanners.
Apart from radiation, full body scanners installed at many international airports, jails abroad and train stations have often drawn because of privacy issues.