Teaching prisoners: Computer laboratory inaugurated at Vehari district jail

Rs1 million was allocated for the project in 2012.

MULTAN:

A computer laboratory has been set up for prisoners at the Vehari district jail. This is the first laboratory to be set up at any prison in the Punjab.

The district prison was declared a model prison. Currently, it houses 1,400 prisoners.

Assistant Superintendent Chaudhary Younus said that the computer laboratory has been equipped with the latest computer accessories. He said the prisoners will be given daily lectures on how to use computers. The laboratory has 10 computers. The number will, however, be increased after a few months after ascertaining the prisoners’ interest, he added. Prisoners will be taught in several shifts in a day.



He said the laboratory had been set up by the district administration with Rs1 million allocated by the Punjab government for the purpose.

He said the aim behind setting up the laboratory was is to help prisoners improve their skills.

Talking to The Express Tribune at the inaugural ceremony, District Coordination Officer Ehsaan Bhutta said that the jail had been provided with qualified computer teachers.

Some prisoners, The Express Tribune talked to, said they were happy to have a computer laboratory at the jail. They said they could learn some skills and use them to find jobs once they were out of jail.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2013.