Jail reforms being introduced on modern lines: Rehman Malik
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP): Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Monday informed the National Assembly that jail reforms were being introduced on modern lines aimed at making prisoners useful members of the society during their stay in prisons.During question hour session in Lower House of the parliament he said special attention was being given to improve jail conditions and avoid undue interaction of prisoners with others especially through mobile phones.“We are planning to install signal-jammers at jails to cut the unofficial mode of communication of prisoners with people outside the prison,” he said.
The minister said the government was going to declare services of jail staff as “superior services” so that they could perform their duties with more dedication and zeal. He admitted that there was no effective mechanism in place to stop criminal activities in jails like availability of drugs and use of mobile phone there.
Malik said the government would also bring a separate bill regarding jails reforms and added that the objects and targets have not been fully achieved in the light of the recommendations made under the Jail Reforms- 1997 in the Punjab Prisons.
He said a number of projects were under construction in Okra, Pakpatn, Layyah, Bhakkar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hafizbad, Shahiwal, Khanewal, Lodhran, Mainwali, Rajanpur and Narowal to improve jail conditions.
The minister said flush-toilets and tiled washrooms had been constructed in almost all the jails of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that religious education was being imparted through Trust Jamiat Taleem-il-Quran Lahore as well as vocational and technical education in female section under non-governmental organizations.
Medical facilities are also being provided to the prisoners through qualified medical officers and nursing staff, he maintained.