Prisoners bribe officials for use of phones in Malir Jail

Jammers are rarely used, which makes it easier for prisoners to use mobiles

KARACHI: Prisoners in Malir District Jail are able to gain easy access to mobile phones in exchange for a substantial amount of money, with the alleged involvement of jail officials.

According to jail officials, they have been permitted by their seniors to facilitate the provision of mobile phones to prisoners. One of the officials revealed on the condition of anonymity that mobile phones are made available to prisoners on the instructions of senior officials at the jail, and those who facilitate it receive large sums of money in return.

Sources at Malir District Jail told The Express Tribune that prisoners often use their sources or influence to get transferred to Malir District Jail from Karachi Central Jail, mainly because here [in Malir jail] they are dealt with leniency. Jammers are rarely used at the district jail, which makes it easier for the prisoners to use mobile phones, the sources revealed.

A large number of mobile phones had been seized from Malir District Jail during different search operations carried out by Rangers and Law Enforcement Agencies in the past. In light of such incidents, the jail administration has been censured several times and asked to maintain strictness and ensure that none of the rules are broken, yet the situation remains unchanged.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2019.