Prisons dept admits drugs smuggled into jails

Screening of inmates reveals over 3,800 addicts

LAHORE:

Inmates have been found smuggling drugs into jails, according to a report submitted by the Punjab Prisons Department to the Lahore High Court.

The report disclosed that 3,873 inmates had been found to be drug users during screening conducted in jails across the province.

In total, 10,166 drug tests were carried out in 2025, of which 6,293 inmates tested negative, while the remaining tested positive for narcotics.

According to the department, crystal meth, hashish and amphetamines were identified as the most commonly used drugs among prisoners.

The screening was launched on LHC orders, leading to the introduction of a system to identify drug-dependent prisoners.

The department said that modern rapid drug test kits were being used for the screening.

To manage the issue, the report adds, separate blocks have been established in every jail for inmates addicted to drugs.

The document highlights systemic pressures within the prison system, noting that 72% of inmates in Punjab jails are under trial. The total prison population stands at 70,739, while an average of 7,500 inmates are produced before courts daily.

Addressing the issue of drug smuggling, the department stated that inmates had been using concealed body parts to bring narcotics into prisons.

To counter this, authorities have decided to install body scanners in jails to prevent the inflow of drugs.

The report also recommends assigning the health and social welfare departments the responsibility of rehabilitation and social reintegration of addicted inmates, emphasising treatment alongside enforcement.