The director general of police (Prisons) Sandeep Rai Rathore has been transferred by the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday after 17 prisoners (under trial) breached Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni district on Monday night. Within 43 hours, it was discovered that all 17 prisoners had been recaptured.
A government order in this regard was signed by the Principal Secretary A Karthik, who appointed Rathore Director General of Police and Chief Vigilance Officer of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), Chennai.
K Shankar, Additional Director General of Police, Enforcement Bureau-CID, Chennai was appointed as the new Additional Director General of Police and Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services.
The Prisons break security measures consist of various lures based on the original of the series.
The prisoners reportedly fled by pretending to have a medical emergency, and then overpowering the security guards, leading to the prison becoming one of the largest security incidents at the sub-jail.
Officials launched a wide search and try to track down the fugitives, and finally got hold of all 17 within 43 hours.
After the incident, the Tamilnadu prison department gave permission for the use of arms, if needed, to stop prisoners escaping. The transfer was made shortly after raised fears surrounding the prison’s security and a series of coordinated prison breaks.
To be housed in Central Jails:
Officials have also begun to move the recaptured prisoners to higher security prisons throughout the country.
Once the legal details have been sorted out, the legal prisoners will be shifted from local jails to central jails at Salem, Vellore, Cuddalore and Puzhal.
The delicate administrative change and other security measures coincide with the high-profile break, and are designed to improve prison operations in an effort to minimise the likelihood of future such escapes.
Further details of any disciplinary action related to the escape have not been announced.