Achievements of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi

PRISONS DEPARTMENT

1.                                          at present 32 jails are functional in the province of the Punjab as under:

a)   central jails      =          09

b)   District jails     =          20

c)   B.I & J.Jails     =          02

d)   sub jails           =          01

      total                 =          32

2.                                          against the authorized accommodation of 21527, at present 59489 (15.05.2007) prisoners are confined in Punjab jails and ration of over crowding is calculated to 176% statements regarding authorized accommodation, category of prisoners, crime wise and jail wise may be perused at Annexure-A summary is as under:-

a)   undertrails       =          39455

b)   convicts           =          13101

c)   condemned     =          6933

      total                 =          59489  

3.                                          However updated position of performance review from November 2002 to april,2007 is as under:-

4.                                          Overcrowding in jails is one of the major problems being confronted:-

a)      government of the Punjab is conscious of the fact and to reduce overcrowding in jails, DP projects of more than 5000 millions have been formulated and during the current financial year 2006-07, funds amounting Rs. 772.755 (M) have been allocated. Two jails, Vehari and District jail, T.T Singh have been completed, staff has been posted and jail operationalized. moreover following new jails are included in ADP 2006-07                                                                               Rs. In Million

b.                                          in addition to above, construction of additional barracks, death cells and provision of additional toilets facilities are also included in ADP. On the completion. of these projects, additional accommodation for 10304 prisoners will be added in existing authorized accommodation which will solve the problems of overcrowding to a great extent.

             

           

                       

7.         Consequent upon restructuring of Prisons Department in pursuance of the minutes of the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab on 01.09.2003, four supervisory commands at Regional level were created headed by DIG Region, besides other Executive, Clerical and Medical staff. In short 2015-additional posts were created and now sanctioned strength of Punjab Prisons Department is 10251.

8.         Government of the Punjab, Finance Department during the year 2006-07, sanctioned Non-Development Budget after the finalization of 2^nd E&S is of Rs.1,86,54,57,000/- to meet with the requirements of the department.

9.         The diet scale has been improved considerably by enhancing the budgetary provisions as under:-

                        Old Menu        =          Rs.15.25 per prisoner per day

                        New Menu      =          Rs.19.57 per prisoner per day

                        Difference       =          Rs.4.32 per prisoner per day

10.       In this way dietary budget has been increased from Rs.21 crore to Rs.48 crore. Weekly Diet Menu at Annexure-B.

11.       Health facilities have also been improved by enhancing the cost of hospital charges from Rs.0.58 per prisoner per day to Rs.2/- per prisoner per day as under:-

                        Old                  =          Rs.0.58 per prisoner per day

                        New                =          Rs.02.00 per prisoner per day

                        Difference       =          Rs.1.42 per prisoner per day

12.       In this way hospital charges have been increased from Rs.1,11,00,000/- to Rs.2,72,00,000/-.

13.       Moreover, medical equipment e.g. 20 pathology labs, 12 ultra sound machines, 13 ECG machines, 8 X-rays machines, 5 dental chairs and 16 operation theatre labs were provided in the jails hospitals. Similarly, 16 Suzuki ambulances are being purchased by the purchase cell of the Home Department during the year 2006-07.

14.       In pursuance of the meeting of the Prisons Reforms Committee held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Law on 10.04.2003, it was decided as

15.       Government of the Punjab, Health Department has already approved ADP Schemes of Rs.23.420 (M) and funds amounting to Rs.5.000 (M) were released for the year 2005-2006 for the establishment of lunatic ward in the Mental Hospital, Lahore, for the prisoners confined in Punjab jails. Similarly, during the year 2006-07, funds amounting to Rs.15.641 (M) have been allocated for the purpose.

16.       On the completion of the ADP Scheme, 185 mental patients will be shifted in the lunatics hospital for proper treatment.

17.       The Chief Minister Punjab has already taken decision to establish rehabilitation centers and directed the Social Welfare/Health Departments to prepare the case for establishing the rehabilitation centers for the drug addicts, as required under the control of Narcotics Substance Act, 1997.

18.       Similarly in another meeting, it was observed by the Chief Minister that about 3000 drug addicts remain confined in Punjab jails and basically they are sick rather than criminals. For their proper detoxification and treatment, it was decided to establish one model drug rehabilitation center at Lahore and case was moved to the federal government for requisite funds under the provisions of the control of Narcotics Substance Act, 1997.

19.       The responsibility of treatment and rehabilitation of addicts has been defined under sections 52 and 53 of the control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997.

20.       Government of the Punjab has already taken revolutionary steps to further strengthen the security arrangements and following security devices/weapons have been introduced:-

21.       During the year 2006-07, 22 X-rays scanning machines at the cost of Rs.61.116 (M) are being purchased by the purchase cell of Home Department for remaining 22 jails in the Punjab.

22.       As per Rule-679of Pakistan Prisons Rules, 1978 education upto primary standard has been made compulsory and also emphasized to promote literacy education program. In this connection, following measures have been taken:-

            BARRACK MAQTABS

a)                  In each barrack, Kalma class, Namaz class, Talem-ul-Quran and literacy classes are being conducted to keep abreast the undertrial prisoners about the fundamentals of Islam and keeping them busy for at-least two hours daily from 8 to 10 A.M. Schedule of classes is displayed in each barrack on proper sign boards.

b)                  The services of educated prisoners (not involved in heinous crimes) are also being utilized for the purpose. The motto is “every prisoner should either be a teacher or a student”.

c)                  In addition to above, elementary Urdu and Arithmetic is being taught to ensure 100% literacy upto primarily level.

d)                 The services of the NGOs are also being utilized for the purpose.

e)                  The whole system is being arranged by the Assistant Superintendent (Incharge) and Deputy Superintendent (Judicial) under the command of Superintendent of Jails.

f)                   Government of the Punjab, Literacy & Non-Formal Basic Education Department has already established Literacy Centres in 22 jails in Punjab province for the purpose.

Further prisoners desirous to acquire higher education are being encouraged and for the purpose, a proper school is established with the cooperation of Allama Iqbal Open University, Philanthropists / NGOs and other highly educated prisoners etc.

            LIBRARY

Proper library with catalogue of books is being maintained including course books for higher education of the prisoners in cooperation with NGOs and Philanthropists etc.

23.       For the reformation of the prisoners, vocational training programs have been started in the jails as under:-

Vocational training project for imparting vocational training to the female prisoners was started at Women Jail Multan with the cooperation of TEVTA/PVTC in the following trades:-

                                    Types of Course                                Duration

                                    Literacy course                                    7 months

                                    Embroidery course                              9 months

                                    Tailoring/Dress Making                       9 months

                                    Skin care/Beautician/              9 months

                                    Hair Cutting and Styling

After release, female prisoners will earn their livelihood in an honourable manner in the society.

24.       A similar project of vocational training in Central Jail Lahore, Multan & B.I. & J. Jail, Faisalabad at the cost of Rs.20.000 (M) is also on the anvil. Trades like clinical assistant, computer operator, radio/tv repairs, plumbing, repair and maintenance of electrical home appliances, diesel engine mechanic and tailoring etc. will be introduced subject to allocation of budget.

25.       During last five years 13629 prisoners were granted education remission under Rule 215 of Pakistan Prisons Rules, 1978 after passing various examinations.

26.       11 jails are manufacturing jails, where various articles are being manufactured.

27.       The District Bar & Provincial Bar Councils have issued a directory indicating the names and addressing of the advocates for providing free legal aid to the needy prisoners. Moreover, liberal permissions are granted to various NGOs like AGHS Cell and individuals to provide free legal aid to the deserving prisoners.

28.       In the month of July 2005, celebrations of week were made in all jails in the Punjab and staff presented role model in “Khush Khulqi” with the prisoners. Ministers, MPAs, MNAs, Human Rights Activists, NGOs, District Government Functionaries, Judicial Officers, Philanthropists and Elite of the Town alongwith media representation were invited for participation in the celebration.

29.       The MTDBF for the year 2006-2007 has yet to be finalized by the P&D Department subject to the approval of Chief Minister Punjab, however, list of schemes (involving funds of Rs.449.741 (M) may be perused at Annexure-C including schemes for the construction of family rooms for prisoners in Central Jail Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi & Multan in pursuance of the notification of Home Department dated 28^th December 2006 (copy attached).

a)         Budget sanctioned for 2002-2003                  Rs.1,11,00,000/-

b)         Budget sanctioned for 2003-2004                  Rs.3,90,38,000/-

            (including supplementary grant)

c)         Budget sanctioned for 2004-2005                  Rs.2,50,00,000/-

d)         Budget sanctioned for 2005-2006                  Rs.2,60,10,000/-

e)         Budget sanctioned for 2006-2007                  Rs.2,62,20,000/-

(2002-2003 to 2006-2007)                                          Rs.1,51,20,000/-

Average per prisoner increase                                     0.58 ps to Rs.2.00

a)         Cost of old                                                                  Rs.15.25

b)         Cost of new menu (implemented w.e.f. 01.12.2003) Rs.19.57

c)         Increased / difference                                     Rs.4.32

d)         Budget sanctioned for 2003-2004                  Rs.21,00,00,000/-

e)         Budget sanctioned for 2004-2005                  Rs.36,01,00,000/-

f)         Budget sanctioned for 2005-2006                  Rs.36,06,10,000/-

g)         Budget sanctioned for 2006-2007                  Rs.36,59,95,000/-

                        Increased Funds                                            Rs.15,59,95,000/-