Expanding Infrastructure and Capacity
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to convert provincial prison cells into genuine correctional facilities. Consequently, the Home Secretary presented a detailed strategic plan to tackle the severe overcrowding crisis gripping the prison system. The briefing revealed that Punjab’s jails hold up to seventy-nine thousand inmates. However, the system has a maximum capacity of only thirty-nine thousand. Therefore, the government is actively building twenty-seven additional barracks. They are also constructing new facilities in Chiniot and Murree to expand total capacity to over forty-three thousand by 2027.
Upgrading Transportation and Facilities
Meanwhile, the chief minister approved 1.3 billion rupees to accelerate the completion of Nankana Sahib Jail. She explicitly directed authorities to fully complete both the Samundri and Nankana Sahib facilities by September this year. Furthermore, Maryam Nawaz ordered the complete remodeling of thirty jail vans to improve inmate transportation. These upgraded vehicles will feature air conditioning, proper washrooms, camera screens, and supportive seating. Additionally, the provincial administration will establish three state-of-the-art women’s prisons in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi to ensure specialized care.
Prioritizing Rehabilitation and Education
The expansive reform package also prioritizes basic human rights, healthcare, and educational development. For instance, a newly formalized Legal Aid Agency will provide free representation to impoverished prisoners. At the same time, the Punjab Healthcare Commission implements regular medical inspections. Inmates will receive high-quality meals three times a day, alongside specialized nutrition for mothers and young children. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Punjab Literacy Programme currently educates over four thousand registered prisoners. This educational push operates under a strict “One Barrack, One Library” policy. As a result, this system has already helped hundreds of inmates complete their matriculation and graduation degrees.
Introducing Industrial Training
Finally, the government has successfully launched a market-oriented prison industry across fifteen jails. Inmates receive practical training in manufacturing furniture, carpets, and clothing. They are also learning essential mechanical skills. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the state must protect basic human dignity and inmate rights at all costs.
