FINALLY the plight of women Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs) has been heard. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to immediately implement the Supreme Court’s order pertaining to the release of under trial and convicted women prisoners.
According to a report framed by government’s own committee, as many as 66.7 percent of the total female prison population in Pakistan comprises UTPs and this matter warranted to be addressed on a priority basis not only to address the issue of overcrowding in jails but also save them as well as their accompanying children which are secondary victims from abuse. The fact of the matter is that unhygienic and congested prisons are affecting the women prisoners physically and mentally. Children with their mothers in prisons are suffering the most. It is one of the major flaws in the judicial set-up of Pakistan that under-trial prisoners have been living there for several years and if proved innocent after completion of the trial, no compensation is provided to them. Whilst the Prime Minister has provided the first relief to the women UTPs, he needs to do much more to ameliorate the condition of prisons through the much needed reforms. The conditions of the female prisoners can be made better by adopting the minimum standard provided and prevailing in the international community. One issue with female prisoners is that once in prisons they are mostly not acceptable by her family and the society which once again pave their way towards crimes as they are left with no other better option. Hence, female prisoners should be taught some skills, which enable them to earn livelihood after release to support their family. Counselling Centres should be established in jails that should help them become better citizen after release from the prison. For under trial prisoners’ legal procedures should be amended for the speedy justice. Separate women prisons should be established and the prison cells should be reconstructed in order to provide better accommodation and environment to them. Children with their mothers should be guaranteed fundamental rights, which they deserve, as they are innocent so they should not suffer for the mistakes of their mothers. Medical facilities should be provided, especially deficiency of female doctors be removed along with the adequate modern medical equipment.
