More probation officers needed

Around 1,700 persons convicted of minor crimes are on probation in K-P, most probation officers are overburdened.

PESHAWAR: There is a need to increase the number of probation officers to overcome burden on existing staff in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), said Reclamation and Probation Director Maulam Jan Armzai on Wednesday.

Around 1,700 persons convicted of minor crimes are on probation in K-P and most probation officers are overburdened. Only seven female officers are working for the rehabilitatation of women offenders, while most officers lack telephone facilities and vehicles even though they have to visit far flung areas for their duties.

After being found guilty of minor offences, first-time offenders are turned over to probation officers for education and rehabilitation on the direction of courts. Armzai said probation officers are working across the province except in Batagram, Chitral, Hangu, Shangla, Tank, Kohistan and Torghar. He said the results of their work are encouraging, with offenders showing good signs of recovery. He said the grade of probation officers should be upgraded and posts of assistant directors should be revived.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2011.