Down the gutter: ASJs relegated to sanitation work in jail barracks

Jail superintendent orders them to clean 85 manholes

LAHORE: The Sargodha district jail superintendent does not believe in the notion of being overqualified. In a surprise move, he assigned nine assistant jail superintendents (ASJs) with the task of cleaning 85 sewage manholes.

A copy of the notification issuing these orders is available with The Express Tribune. ASJ Babar Akram has been put in charge of cleaning sewage water and manholes at the waiting area of the new barrack. Meanwhile, ASJ Muhammad Ashraf Naveed is to clean manholes in the drugs and new jail barracks. Also, ASJ Matloob Hussain will be responsible for cleaning manholes on the barrack side of Condemned Prisoner Cell-10 and a nearby mosque. ASJ Javed Iqbal has been ordered to clean manholes in Condemned Prisoners cells 08 and 09. In addition, ASJs Muhammad Irfan, Adnan Akram, Nasrullah Khan, Abdul Shakoor and Tasawar Iqbal were assigned similar duties.

Jail officers, requesting anonymity, expressed their anger and concern over the superintendent’s’ move. “The step is not only a violation of the code of conduct, but has a demoralising effect on ASJs throughout the province,” stated another officer.

Jails in Punjab still lack basic facilities

An ASJ said that all his peers were well-educated and recruited after passing the competitive exams. Another officer said that Clause-2 of Rule 983 of the Punjab Prison Rules 1978 dictated that a senior medical officer would inspect staff quarters and warden lines once a week. His/her additional tasks included being in charge of drainage and conservation arrangements.

Another officer said that at least 260 ASJs have their jobs in the last few years. He also quoted letters written to Punjab Minister for Prisons Zawar Hussain Warraich and Punjab Inspector General for Prisons Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig.

He said the letters highlighted the discriminatory attitude of superintendents. The ASJs had repeatedly demanded of the IG and DIGs to withdraw the discretionary powers of superintendents to assign duties to them. He regretted the fact that that nobody bothered to look into the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2019.