Sindh to release terminally ill prisoners

Sindh Home Department on Saturday issued a notification to release convicted prisoners suffering from terminal diseases.

The order was issued by the Supreme Court in light of the Sindh Cabinet’s decision taken on December 9.

According to the notification, eight convicted prisoners were being released or discharged early from Sindh prisons on account of being terminally ill or suffering from incurable diseases under Section 49 (a) & (b) of the Sindh Prisons and Corrections Services Act 2019.

The convicts were being discharged for a period of four months and were subject to fulfillment of all formalities and conditions as laid down in the order.

Firstly, the legal heirs or blood relatives were required to submit a bond of Rs200,000 with Deputy Director Reclamation and Probation concerned divisions, Sindh prior to their release.

Secondly, the physical custody of the prisoners will only be handed over by the prison authorities to their families who have submitted the surety bond.

Additionally, convicts shall be under the supervision of an assistant director or a probation and parole officer who will submit monthly reports to the home department throughout their temporary release.

Lastly, the temporary release of prisoners will be purely on medical ground and further relief will be granted by Prison Management Board.

The notification also read that the release of convicted prisoners with contagious diseases will also be extended.

The sentenced prisoners scheduled to be released were convicted in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur central prisons.

Sindh is the first province where the 125-year-old law on prisons has been changed.