Staff Reporter
Syed Tahir Shahbaz, Federal Ombudsman has asked the Prisons and Home departments of Punjab to accelerate the progress of implementation in jail reforms recommendations.
He was chairing a high level meeting with the Chief Secretary Punjab and other heads of Departments of Criminal Justice System of Punjab on the progress of implementation of Jail Reforms Recommendations.
The meeting was attended by the Provincial Ombudsman, Chief Secretary Punjab, Home Secretary, Prosecutor General, IG Prisons Punjab and other officials of provincial authorities. Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmed Khokhar, Senior Adviser informed the meeting about the actions taken in this regard through a presentation and said that in 42 jails of Punjab 47077 prisoners were present against sanctioned strength of 32477.
The Federal Ombudsman had already ordered all the provinces to constitute District Oversight Committees in each district comprising the renowned members from all walks of life to monitor the improvement in jail conditions as ordered by the Apex Court. In the current meeting the Ombudsman directed the provincial authorities of Punjab to expand the scope of parole/probation system, so that over burden of prisoners could be narrowed.
He also directed to ensure regular visits of District Oversight Committees and Provincial Oversight Committees in the jails so that positive improvement in the living conditions of inmates could be ensured. The Ombudsman asked to introduce skill centres with the help of TEVTA to provide technical education to prisoners. He further asked them to accelerate the progress in implementation of jail reforms recommendations in letter & spirit.
