As part of strengthening surveillance, a closed circuit TV system was commissioned today at the high security central prison here by Kerala home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

The CCTV connected by 22 cameras installed in key locations including, at the main gate, boundary walls, canteen, and the women cell, would help authorities have a closer watch on the movements of the jail inmates.

Switching on the CCTV at a function, Balakrishnan assured to take steps to ensure that the three central prisons in the state were not overcrowded.

Heneforth only the convicts would be accommodated in the central prisons and the remand prisoners would be lodged in sub-jails. As many as eight sub-jails had already been opened in the state while work on four more would commence soon, he said.

The State Planning Commission has earmarked Rs 1,543 crores for renovating jails in the state, he said adding steps were on to increase the capacity of the nearby Cheemeni open jail.