System to be devised to transfer prisoners to jails in their dists

LAHORE : Significant progress has been made in prison reforms under the directives of the CM, with a key decision to house convicted prisoners in jails within their respective districts.

According to details, the Punjab Home Department has formulated a policy to implement this change. A high-powered committee has been constituted to develop a mechanism for transferring prisoners to their district jails.

This committee, which includes the Deputy Secretary (Prisons), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Sargodha Region, DIG Prisons Director General Khan Region, AIG Judicial Inspection of Prisons Punjab, Superintendent Central Jail Faisalabad, and a Section Officer from the Home Department, will present its recommendations within a week.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department explained that, previously, prisoners sentenced to more than five years were kept in central jails, often far from their home districts. This created significant financial and logistical challenges for families visiting inmates, prompting numerous complaints. Acting on these grievances, Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal initiated the policy revision and formed the committee.

The spokesperson highlighted that the old policy led to overcrowding in central jails.

Under the new measures, district jail security has been enhanced, and these facilities now have adequate capacity to house inmates.

It is worth noting that death row prisoners are already housed in their respective district jails.

Additionally, industries have been established in district jails to facilitate labour-based rehabilitation programmes. Under the revised policy, prisoners sentenced to more than five years will now be relocated to jails in their home districts, allowing families easier access for visits and improving overall conditions for both inmates and their relatives.