On April 6 this year, a clash among inmates inside Mandoli jail left a 22-year-old murder accused seriously injured. Three months later, the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch arrested 11 people, including seven prison officials, in an alleged extortion and bribery racket involving prisons in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli.The incidents have again put the functioning of Delhi’s prisons under scrutiny amid concerns over gang rivalries, contraband, staff collusion and communication between inmates and associates outside.The concern is particularly significant given the presence of several high-profile gangsters and organised criminals across the city’s three major prison complexes. Gangsters such as Neeraj Bawana and Chhota Rajan have been lodged in Tihar jail since 2015, while Hashim Baba has been there since 2019 and is allegedly operating his syndicate from behind bars. Rival gang members linked to the Gogi and Tillu gangs have been housed in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli prisons since 2021, while Anmol Bishnoi has been in high-security custody in Tihar jail since November 2025.Against this backdrop, the Delhi government is considering transferring “hardened and notorious” prisoners, including undertrial gangsters, organised criminals and other high-risk inmates, to prisons in other States under the Transfer of Prisoners (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025.The proposed move would allow undertrials to be transferred to prisons outside the State besides convicted prisoners. The government believes that separating gang leaders from local networks could make it harder for them to threaten rivals and witnesses, interfere with trials or coordinate criminal activity from prison.The history of Lawrence Bishnoi, who was lodged in Tihar and Mandoli prisons while facing trial before being shifted to Sabarmati Central Jail in Gujarat, also highlights the relevance of allowing undertrials to be transferred between States.Prison promisesFormer inmates who spent five to 20 years in Delhi prisons told The Hindu that they were approached with offers of money, help in court cases and other favours.“During my first interim bail, after four and a half years in prison, I was offered ₹10 lakh to carry out a ‘task’ and promised help with my case,” said a former inmate lodged in a murder case. “My family was struggling financially, but I realised what I was being drawn into and stepped back.”Another former inmate said prison itself could become a recruitment ground. “Your crime becomes your identity inside. A person convicted of murder can command more respect than someone jailed for theft,” he said, recalling being offered better food by a gang member. “I later understood that it came with a price — either money or a favour, such as helping move drugs for the network,” he added.Sunil Kumar Gupta, a former legal adviser, superintendent and spokesperson of Central Jail in Tihar, said gang members identify ‘useful’ inmates and exploit vulnerabilities such as financial distress, pending cases and drug dependence.“Once trust is established, recruits may be used to move contraband, extort money or carry out crimes after release or while on bail,” he said.Mr. Gupta said transferring gang leaders could disrupt such networks, but warned that influential prisoners could try to manipulate the process.‘Not all gaps closed’Technology, meanwhile, has not closed all the gaps. A prison official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said inmates continued to find ways around mobile phone jammers by exploiting weak coverage, using newer networks or having equipment tampered with, sometimes with staff support.Contraband can enter through visitors, parcels and mail, over prison walls or during court movements, the official said. “Prisons need better screening equipment, including body scanners and X-ray systems,” he added.Staff vulnerabilityMr. Gupta, who served in the prison department for 35 years, said staff shortages, inadequate training and the perception of jail duty as a “punishment posting” have made prisons vulnerable to collusion.“The staff are not given the kind of police training needed to deal with hardened and dangerous criminals, yet they are expected to manage precisely such prisoners.Administrative officers posted in prisons may have government experience, but they are not necessarily trained or prepared for the specialised challenges of custodial management,” he said, adding that some personnel may also avoid confronting influential inmates because of threats to their families.Former Inspector General of Delhi Prisons Kiran Bedi said the opacity of prisons has made integrity and oversight particularly important. “We have givers, receivers and protectors, all aligned. Each nourishes the chain,” she said, adding that delays in acting against erring officials weakened deterrence.While the proposed transfers may help reduce some links between gangs inside and outside prisons, their effectiveness would also depend on addressing issues such as staff shortages, corruption and gaps in supervision, which can allow such networks to persist or adapt.