Sindh govt to build eight more prisons

jails currently hold 17,239 inmates, despite a capacity of 13,038

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to construct eight more prisons in the province, providing some relief to the existing jails that are operating overcapacity.

A high-level meeting, co-chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah and Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz, reviewed the prevailing conditions of Sindh's prisons on Thursday.

It was reported during the meeting that 17,239 inmates are currently lodged in the province's jails, exceeding their total capacity of 13,038 prisoners. Moreover, many districts lack jails of their own, due to which prisoners from these areas are held in prisons in other districts.

Arguing that each district should have its own jail, the chief secretary revealed that the Sindh government planned to construct new prisons in Thatta, Nawabshah, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Mithi, Kandhkot, Jamshoro and Malir, and District West in Karachi. New barracks are being built at existing prisons in Malir to increase their capacity as well. He directed the home secretary to prepare a summary for allocating 100 and 200 acres of land for the proposed jails in Malir and District West respectively.

Reviewing the facilities being provided to inmates as per Shahbaz's recommendations, the meeting was informed that several projects were being carried out for the welfare of prisoners. These include vocational training for 4,623 inmates in trades like carpentry, electronics, computer repair, motor-winding, handicrafts, embroidery, and makeup, as well as English language courses. Moreover, 6,886 prisoners are receiving education from primary to postgraduate levels.

As many as 200 policemen have also completed training, while the provincial government has also paid the amount for Diyat, Daman, and Arsh for 33 prisoners.

Shahbaz stated that his office has so far submitted four reports on the implementation of jail reforms to the Supreme Court, adding that another report would be submitted in the first week of January 2020.