Quetta jail inmates afflicted by skin disease

Prison conditions in question as overcrowding exposed

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QUETTA:

Over 200 inmates at the Quetta District Jail have been affected by skin diseases, including scabies, raising serious concerns about prison conditions.

Balochistan government sources confirmed the outbreak on Thursday, linking it to overcrowding, poor hygiene, and substandard food quality.

Health department officials have verified the outbreak and stressed the urgent need for improved living conditions and medical care within the facility. Several severely affected inmates have been transferred to Bolan Medical Complex and Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment.

In response to the crisis, Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad Bin Asad has ordered an inquiry into the outbreak and instructed authorities to ensure timely medical treatment for the affected prisoners.

He also directed a review of health facilities at the jail to address the poor hygiene and overcrowding issues contributing to the spread of infections.

While no official statement was issued by the prison department, a senior officer, speaking anonymously, downplayed the severity of the reports, calling them exaggerated.

The outbreak sparked calls for immediate reforms in prison management to safeguard the health and well-being of inmates, emphasising the need for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to a report of Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), as of November 2023, Balochistan's prison system comprises 11 facilities, including five central jails and six district jails, housing 2,874 inmates.

The province's prisons are operating at 105.3% of their capacity, with a notable 62.9% 1,809 individuals awaiting trial. Gaddani Central Jail and Quetta District Jail are particularly overcrowded, operating at 183.0% and 216.9% of their capacities, respectively.

The prison population in Balochistan is predominantly male, with 2,838 men and 36 women.