Rent a room at high-security Viyyur Jail

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Very soon inmates of Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur will be able to get fully-furnished rooms on a daily rental basis. With the design of the arguably first high-security prison of the state almost ready, the project is likely to set the standard for other prisons. At a project cost estimate of Rs. 20 crore, the high-security jail will be constructed in a 50-acre area near the Viyyur Central Jail.“There are eight high-tech and hi-security prisons in the country. But they are in other prison compounds. The one to come up in Viyyur is the first independent high-security prison in the country,” ADGP Prisons Alexander Jacob told Express.  Under the plan, there will be 65 single rooms, of which 50 will be allotted to prisoners on remand who are willing to pay for their stay.The idea is to reduce the expenditure of the government over prisons.  The remaining 15 rooms in the pool will be reserved for prisoners facing death row. Hardcore convicts will also be put in these rooms.   Apart from the 65 rooms, the rest would be barracks.  The entire prison compound, including the rooms and barracks, will be under CCTV surveillance. These could be locked from the Superintendent’s room itself so that if a situation arises, a mob may not be formed.It is after the ‘birth’ of terrorists in the state that the need for such a prison was felt.  Attention will be given not only to prevent escapes from prison, but also to avoid the chance of outside attack on prisoners as has happened in other states.Each room and barrack will have attached bathroom, television and trolley food service.Rooftop evacuation in case of emergency, library with over 1,100 books and access to newspapers and journals will be other notable features. Interestingly, the facility is conceptualised as a ‘green venture’. Electricity will be used only during heavy monsoon as solar energy will be the sole source for power during the rest of the year. Steam cooking is another attractive feature so that the prison will be pollution-free.It will be a three-storey oval building, with the kitchen in a separate building to avoid fire hazard. A single foundation would do. It is designed in such a way as to reduce cost.  The work will be implemented by the Public Works Department.