Tamil Nadu prisons department authorises prison guards to open fire after Theni jailbreak

The security overhaul follows the escape late on October 26, when the inmates allegedly staged a medical emergency to persuade a guard to enter their cell. They then attacked the guard, seized the keys and escaped through the prison’s main entrance.

Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Sandeep Rai Rathore said personnel on watchtower duty had been authorised to use firearms in self-defence and to prevent jailbreaks, depending on the circumstances. Self-loading rifles (SLRs) have been issued to personnel assigned to guard prison perimeters.

Armed watchtower duty began at central prisons on Tuesday and was extended to district jails on Wednesday. The measures cover nine central prisons, five special prisons for women and 13 district jails, according to reports.

Police recaptured 15 of the 17 prisoners by Wednesday, while a search continued for the remaining two. Multiple police teams, supported by drones, were deployed to track the fugitives through forested and hilly areas around Theni and towards the Keralam border.

Nine prison personnel have been suspended over the incident. The department has also cancelled staff leave, ordered personnel to return to duty and issued standard operating procedures aimed at preventing further escapes.

The jailbreak has exposed concerns about prison surveillance, staffing and infrastructure. A statewide security audit is under way to identify gaps in security arrangements, including the functioning of watchtowers and alarm systems.

Officials are also reviewing how inmates are housed, with particular attention to separating first-time offenders from repeat offenders and preventing members of the same criminal group from being placed together.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of prison security in Tamil Nadu, as authorities move to strengthen perimeter surveillance, improve staffing and prevent a recurrence of the breach.