In an effort to ensure transparency and efficiency in the prison system, the Punjab Home Department has digitalised all prisoner remission records and launched a new SMS service that allows families to check the release dates of inmates.
Under the newly introduced system, relatives can access a prisoner's expected release date and details of any sentence reductions by sending the inmate's computer number via SMS to 8070 for a nominal charge of Rs5.
In return, they will receive a message containing updated remission details and the expected release date. "Not a single prisoner will remain incarcerated beyond their due release date," said Punjab Home Secretary Noor Amin Mengal at the launch ceremony.
"All remission data is now available online with complete transparency."
The initiative is part of the Chief Minister Punjab's Prison Reforms Agenda, which prioritizes timely documentation of remissions granted for educational achievements, vocational training, or good behaviour. To ensure proper implementation, the Home Department has constituted special monitoring teams tasked with carrying out surprise inspections across jails.
Officials emphasised that the digital system will replaces the previous manual record-keeping process.
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