Wall falls at Faisalabad's Borstal Jail for the third time
LHC and the Federal Ombudsman issued instructions to renovate the prison to no avail
PHOTO: EXPRESS
FAISALABAD:
The main boundary wall of Borstal Institute and Juvenile Jail in Faisalabad, has collapsed for the third time while the prison itself has been closed for an indefinite period, Express News reported. The wall collapsed due to a thunderstorm that hit the city a few days ago.
The 14-feet-tall central wall, which is attached to the watch tower situated at the back of the jail, collapsed during the night when 150 prisoners were preparing to sleep. However, no one was able to escape.
Soon after the incident, an operation was initiated to transfer the prisoners to Faisalabad Central Jail. The operation was supervised by Regional DIG Abdul Rauf Rana. Special cells were established in two barracks immediatley to keep the younger prisoners away from dangerous inmates.
It is worth mentioning that the prisoners at Borstal Jail were being educated and entertained with the assistance of a local company. The move aimed to help the inmates become useful citizens. They were offered courses in technical fields such as motor mechanics, motor winding, welding, tailoring and computer sciences. However, after being shifted to Central Jail, the prisoners may not be able to avail the same opportunities to learn those skills.
Meanwhile, during the past several years the government and the authorities at the jail have not renovated or restored the Borstal Institute and Jail.
Prison officials revealed that the central part of the wall, which was established in 2001, collapsed in June 2002 while the second part collapsed in July 2011. They added that the former Punjab Jail DIG (Headquarters) Safaraz Mufti and DIG (Operations) Abdul Sattar Aajiz carried out an inspection before taking control of the 52 acre jail. They stated in the inspection report that the contractor used sub-standard material to construct the prison. However, action could not be taken against the firm due to pressure from higher authorities.
They maintained that in a bid to improve the jail’s conditions, the Lahore High Court and Federal Ombudsman issued instructions. However, the officials concerned failed to take practical measures.
A few months ago, a report regarding attempts to restore Borstal Jail was sent to the officials in which funds worth Rs138 million were requested. But not a single penny was issued in this regard.
Officials highlighted that the foundations of Borstal Jail’s main wall are in a terrible state and it can collapse any time. In such a situation, prison officers are not in favour of bringing the inmates back. On the other hand, their stay in Central Jail is also risky.
The main boundary wall of Borstal Institute and Juvenile Jail in Faisalabad, has collapsed for the third time while the prison itself has been closed for an indefinite period, Express News reported. The wall collapsed due to a thunderstorm that hit the city a few days ago.
The 14-feet-tall central wall, which is attached to the watch tower situated at the back of the jail, collapsed during the night when 150 prisoners were preparing to sleep. However, no one was able to escape.
Soon after the incident, an operation was initiated to transfer the prisoners to Faisalabad Central Jail. The operation was supervised by Regional DIG Abdul Rauf Rana. Special cells were established in two barracks immediatley to keep the younger prisoners away from dangerous inmates.
It is worth mentioning that the prisoners at Borstal Jail were being educated and entertained with the assistance of a local company. The move aimed to help the inmates become useful citizens. They were offered courses in technical fields such as motor mechanics, motor winding, welding, tailoring and computer sciences. However, after being shifted to Central Jail, the prisoners may not be able to avail the same opportunities to learn those skills.
Meanwhile, during the past several years the government and the authorities at the jail have not renovated or restored the Borstal Institute and Jail.
Prison officials revealed that the central part of the wall, which was established in 2001, collapsed in June 2002 while the second part collapsed in July 2011. They added that the former Punjab Jail DIG (Headquarters) Safaraz Mufti and DIG (Operations) Abdul Sattar Aajiz carried out an inspection before taking control of the 52 acre jail. They stated in the inspection report that the contractor used sub-standard material to construct the prison. However, action could not be taken against the firm due to pressure from higher authorities.
They maintained that in a bid to improve the jail’s conditions, the Lahore High Court and Federal Ombudsman issued instructions. However, the officials concerned failed to take practical measures.
A few months ago, a report regarding attempts to restore Borstal Jail was sent to the officials in which funds worth Rs138 million were requested. But not a single penny was issued in this regard.
Officials highlighted that the foundations of Borstal Jail’s main wall are in a terrible state and it can collapse any time. In such a situation, prison officers are not in favour of bringing the inmates back. On the other hand, their stay in Central Jail is also risky.