Inmates stay connected courtesy jailers

LAHORE: Mobile phone usage and sale of drugs to the prisoners in the Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, have become a lucrative business for jail authorities and influential inmates, a report prepared by an intelligence agency has concluded.

The report has been prepared by the Special Branch on the direction of the Home Department.

A significant number of banned organisations’ activists and office-bearers are being held at this jail. The report says that most of them are in constant contact with other members of their organisations who are still at large.

The report reveals that the use of mobile phones by the prisoners to communicate with their leaders is condoned by the jail authorities. Earlier, it says, the inmates used to get cell phones from their accomplices, who brought them concealed in food items, after court hearings. Once the practice had come to the notice of police high ups and measures were taken to check it, the jail officials started charging – from Rs10 up to Rs100 per minute – from the prisoners for using the cell phones.The report warns that the prisoners keep their gangs updated on the investigations and get latest information on the organisations operations.

It apprehended that if the practice goes on unchecked, “it would increase the risk of further terrorist attacks as the nominally jailed terrorists were constantly in touch with their high command.”

The report further said that alcohol was being provided to the inmates. It was being injected in milk and juice packets. “The jail officials receive hefty bribes to fill the pack with alcoholic beverages,” it stated. Furthermore, the prisoners were getting heroin supplied in capsules (recommended for medical purposes).

A capsule of the drug, worth around Rs50 outside the jail, was being sold in the jails at Rs500. The report mentions that jail officials are involved in the business and have their shares in the profits.

A subordinate official posted in Jails Department told The Express Tribune, on conditions of anonymity, that the barracks housing hardened criminals most of whom are involved in sectarian violence are equipped with low frequency jammers. Yet, he admitted that the use of mobile phones and sale of drugs was going on unchecked. He held the jail wardens responsible for it.

Malik Mustaq Ahmed, the Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent, was not available for his comments.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2010.