Armed Guards to be Deployed in Tamil Nadu Prisons After Theni Jail Break

Theni, October 28 (Daily Kiran) : In response to the escape of 17 inmates from the Theni district jail, Tamil Nadu officials have announced that all central and district prisons in the state will be staffed with armed guards starting Wednesday. This decision was confirmed by Sandeep Rai Rathore, the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services.

The deployment comes as part of a significant overhaul of security protocols following the jailbreak incident that occurred on Monday night. The event has raised concerns about the handling of medical emergencies within the facility. Jail authorities are currently reviewing security measures and are set to implement a new standard operating procedure (SOP).

Rathore stated that armed personnel will be stationed at watchtowers, with orders to shoot at any inmate attempting to escape. Traditionally, guards at these posts have not been armed in most of the state’s prisons.

Additionally, the department will ensure that alarm systems across all facilities are fully operational. Further security enhancements will be introduced following a comprehensive security audit and the implementation of the new procedures.

Acknowledging the security lapse at Theni jail, Rathore explained that the staff acted in good faith when they responded to a report of an inmate’s deteriorating health. However, they failed to follow established protocols for securing the gates.

During the incident, staff opened three gates and rushed inside to assist, neglecting to lock the gates behind them, which left the facility vulnerable. An official described this failure to secure the gates as a serious breach of protocol. This lapse allowed inmates to take advantage of the situation, overpower the guards, and escape.

The focus of the investigation will be on how the emergency alert was managed and the failure to lock the gates afterward. Although the staff believed they were responding to a legitimate health crisis, their actions left the facility unsecured.

The measures announced by the department include armed surveillance in all central and district prisons, as well as the installation of alarm systems. The new armed deployment will differ from the current system, where most guards perform their duties unarmed.

The armed guard presence will begin on Wednesday, while additional changes will depend on the outcomes of the security audit and revised procedures. Rathore indicated that further measures would be implemented once both phases of the review are completed.