Prisons may be designed as places of punishment and reform, but often they turn into breeding grounds for criminal activities— from smuggling mobile phones and narcotics to planning jailbreaks and high-profile crimes outside the jail walls. Several notorious inmates continue their illegal activities even while serving sentences. Determined to put an end to this parallel world of crime, the state has now turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen prison surveillance.
With nearly 60 correctional facilities across the state — ranging from small jails to central prisons — authorities admit that despite modern CCTV coverage, significant loopholes remain. "We cannot keep human eyes on every corner, every second. Even one moment of negligence can lead to chaos," a prison guard said. To plug these gaps, cameras inside jails are now being upgraded with AI-powered monitoring.
Unlike conventional CCTV cameras that merely record footage, AI-enabled cameras will detect and interpret suspicious activity in real-time. "From inmate clashes and violent outbursts to attempts at vandalism or escape, the system will instantly alert prison guards, ensuring swift intervention, said an official of a central jail in Kolkata on condition of anonymity.
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AI will also provide face and movement recognition. "Each inmate’s biometrics — photographs of their eyes, face, hands, and fingerprints — will be fed into the system upon admission. This will allow AI to track individual movements 24/7, instantly flagging escape attempts or unauthorised absences,” the officer said.
Sources in the Correction Home department said AI’s image-processing capabilities will also be harnessed to detect contraband. “Whether it is hidden mobile phones, sharp weapons, or narcotics, the system will scan for prohibited items. It will also monitor suspicious gatherings or secret exchanges among inmates, helping expose drug trafficking and underground networks that thrive inside prisons,” said a senior officer of the department.
The technology goes a step further — AI can analyse prisoner body language to detect signs of mental stress, unusual agitation or suicidal tendencies. Authorities believe this will not only prevent unpleasant incidents but also open up opportunities for timely rehabilitation.
"Even if an inmate attempts to break or tamper with the cell lock, the AI system will ring an alarm," said another officer of a jail in Dum Dum.
Cyber expert Sandeep Sengupta explained, "If AI is trained to identify a person or object, the camera can track them continuously. The moment a danger signal appears, AI instantly alerts the admin. This proactive mechanism can avert major threats."
Officials believe this AI-driven surveillance marks a turning point in prison management, giving guards a powerful technological ally. A senior correctional officer noted, "CCTV gave us eyes. AI will give those eyes intelligence."
By integrating cutting-edge surveillance into prison systems, the state hopes to dismantle criminal nexuses within jails and restore correctional facilities to their true purpose— discipline, security and rehabilitation.
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