India, Nov. 2 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday ordered the formation of a high-level committee, headed by retired IPS officer J K Tripathy, to examine prison security across the state and recommend measures to prevent jailbreaks.

The decision follows the escape of 17 prisoners from the Thekkampatti sub-jail in Theni district on October 26. After reviewing security arrangements in prisons across Tamil Nadu, the chief minister ordered a detailed inquiry into the lapses that led to the recent prison escapes, a government release said.

The committee will examine the existing security infrastructure, standard operating procedures, technology gaps and deployment of personnel. It will also study security practices followed...