Sounding the alarm: SHRC calls for prisoners’ release amid contagion worry

Commission finds most prisoners filled beyond their capacity

KARACHI: The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has called for the Sindh government to take measures to release prisoners accused of minor offences from jails across the province, fearing that they are susceptible to being infected by COVID-19.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, SHRC chairperson Justice (retd) Majida Razvi, and other members of the human rights body, expressed worry over prisoners being prone to contracting coronavirus in Sindh's "over-crowded" jails.

Asking the government to address the issue, the commission members stressed the need to conduct tests of the inmates, as well as jail staff, and taking other necessary preventive measures to protect them against the pandemic.

They have also asked the jail authorities to chalk out a plan for supplying food and other necessities to the prisoners in the current situation.

"It is quite important that the inmates are provided adequate and hygienic food and have access to medicines," the statement reads. "As the sudden escalation of pandemic… has driven the country towards a lockdown, the plight of prisoners in Sindh needs to be addressed…. Coronavirus is very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Hence, keeping in view the intensity of the threat the pandemic is posing to the masses, the commission suspects that jails could become the breeding ground for the virus if timely actions are not taken."

According to the statement, members of the commission, during visits to different jails, noted and informed the government that most prisoners were filled beyond their capacity.

Underlining the need for taking precautionary measures to prevent the contagious virus from infecting inmates in Sindh, the members of the commission have suggested to the Sindh government to carry out tests for coronavirus in jails, set up isolation wards and quarantine facilities on jail premises, identify elderly and ill inmates and shift them to separate barracks,  release those charged with or convicted of minor crimes and release those who have been granted bails but the lack means to pay sureties.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2020.