In Sindh, prisoners paroled amid coronavirus fears

KARACHI: As many as seven prisoners were released on parole from jails across the province on Saturday, following the announcement by Sindh Prisons IG Nusrat Hussain Mangan to reduce sentences by two months amid coronavirus fears.

Five of the prisoners were released from two prisons in Karachi, while two were released from prisons in Hyderabad. Mangan had taken the decision under Section 215 of the Prisons Rule to reduce the risk of coronavirus outbreak.

According to Mangan, a total of 2,692 prisoners in Sindh’s jails would benefit from the decision. Further preventive measures, such as spraying disinfectants, will also be taken in order to lower the risk of a potential outbreak.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2020.