Punjab prisons plagued by corruption, overcrowding

ISLAMABAD: Punjab’s prison system is embroiled in a web of corruption, as revealed by a recent official report. Hundreds of inmates at Adiala Jail Factory are allegedly exempted from work through bribes of Rs 5,000 each.

This special report on corruption, prepared by the Provincial Intelligence Centre, has been shared with the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

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The report uncovers the provision of illicit facilities to prisoners via corruption, bribery, and nepotism. Beyond Adiala Jail, the situation in Faisalabad and Bahawalpur jails is equally dire. Instances of prisoner deaths due to torture have been reported, with these jails operating at 139 per cent of their intended capacity.

Currently, more than 64,000 inmates are crammed into 43 jails designed for far fewer prisoners, including 17,200 individuals incarcerated for minor offences.

Overcrowding has also crippled communication systems within these facilities. In Faisalabad Jail alone, 150 mobile phones were found in prisoners’ possession. Furthermore, the report highlights that 2,000 drug-addicted inmates, worth over Rs 4 billion in funds, have not been sent for treatment.

Adiala Jail houses 1,100 drug-addicted prisoners, while Kot Lakhpat Jail holds 900. Basic medical equipment is lacking in prison hospitals across Kot Lakhpat, Sahiwal, and other jails.

In addition to the healthcare crisis, the report notes that prisoners in Faisalabad, Multan, and other prisons have been deprived of marital rights for 11 years. Sports and vocational training facilities are absent in 18 Punjab prisons.

The staffing situation is equally alarming, with 70 per cent of positions for psychiatrists, doctors, and dental technicians remaining vacant. Punjab jails face a 35 per cent staff shortage, with only 14,000 employees working instead of the required 22,000.

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The report further reveals that only 84 officers are responsible for over 41,000 convicted prisoners in Punjab. Shockingly, more than 100 prisoners remain incarcerated despite having completed their sentences. The condition of 106 juvenile prisoners in these jails is also dire, reflecting the overall neglect and mismanagement within the system.

This comprehensive report highlights the urgent need for reforms in Punjab’s prison system to address corruption, overcrowding, and the lack of basic facilities and medical care. The Chief Minister of Punjab is now faced with the challenge of implementing effective measures to rectify these grave issues.