The Goa government is likely to introduce the Goa Prison Bill during the upcoming three-day Assembly session, proposing stricter action against inmates found illegally possessing mobile phones inside jails.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the existing Goa Prison Rules and make illegal possession of mobile phones in prisons a cognizable offence. If enacted, the change would allow police to register an FIR and launch a formal investigation whenever an inmate is caught with a mobile phone.

The move comes against the backdrop of repeated mobile phone seizures at Colvale Jail. Under the current rules, although mobile phones are prohibited inside prisons, their illegal possession is treated as a non-cognizable offence. As a result, police cannot independently register an FIR or investigate such cases.

At present, jail authorities are required to submit a report to the concerned magistrate after a mobile phone is recovered from an inmate. The magistrate may then initiate proceedings, with the existing provisions providing for a maximum punishment of six months’ imprisonment or a fine.

The proposed law would significantly expand the scope of police investigation. Following an FIR, investigators could examine the seized device, conduct technical analysis, scrutinise call records and collect other electronic evidence to determine how the phone was being used and whether other persons were involved.

If the proposed provisions are approved and an inmate is subsequently convicted, the offence could carry a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment.

The government’s move is aimed at strengthening enforcement inside prisons and providing police with greater powers to investigate the possession and possible misuse of mobile phones by inmates.