Recommendations to improve probation dept’s working sought

Lahore : The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed Punjab Home Department to prepare recommendations to overcome the shortage of funds, facilities and staff in Probation Department.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Miss Tammara Murad Khan, contending that last year 45,000 prisoners were released on probation from different jails of Punjab but the department had only 57 probation officers to supervise them. She pointed out that on average a probation officer had to keep eye on 800 prisoners residing in different parts of the province, which, according to petitioner, was humanly impossible. She said the probation officers had not been provided with the facilities of cars, offices or stationery which is badly affecting their performance. She argued that a budget of Rs. 150 million annually was allocated to department and it was not possible to run administration and operational wings of the department with such a meager amount. The petitioner said the court also released prisoners on probation without conducting social investigation, a mandatory requirement under the law, adding that the department did not have a permanent director general as well. The petitioner prayed to the court to directed the government to enhance the department’s budget and the number of probation officers as well appoint a permanent DG.