Background of Prison System in Pakistan
Maximum-security prisons were commonly identifiable by the walls and towers for armed guards as well as the restrictive rules for the prisoners. The colonial prison system was conceived as an instrument of punishment. Harsh and brutal treatment was meted out to prisoners such as the imposition of handcuffs and fetters as well as hard labor, cellular and separate confinement, whipping, dietary restriction, and the substitution of gunny clothes and the loss of privileges.
The Jailor being the head of the institution without uniform had to play the role of judge and his orders were to be implemented through his deputy designated the Chief Executive Officer of the prison. Prisons were operated under a military-style system of authority. Each officer in the staff hierarchy had specified duties and
responsibilities and was linked to officers of higher and lower rank through a chain of command. Despite its hierarchical logic the system of authority and communication had serious weaknesses. One problem was that policy-decisions were made by administrators who were far removed the realities of daily life in prison.
The chain of command also compromised the accuracy and completeness of reports as they moved up and down the ranks. For many officers in the lower ranks allegiance to administrative policies was less important than engaging in the exchange of rumors with the inmates resulting in fraternization and collusion with the inmates.
Existing Prison Structure
At present there are 99 Prisons in Pakistan including Azad Kashmir & Gilgit Baltistan which includes four Women Jails (one jail in Punjab i.e. Women Jail, Multan and three jails in Sindh Province i.e. Women Jail, Larkana, Women Jail, Karachi and Special Women Jail, Hyderabad). However, women prisoners are also kept in separate portions of other jails.
It also includes two Borstal Institutions and Juvenile Jails i.e. B.I.&J.Jail,
Bahawalpur and B.I.&J.Jail, Faisalabad. Juvenile prisoners are also kept in the Youthful Offenders Industrial School, Karachi and separate portions of other jails of the country.
Objectives to reform Prisons in Pakistan
1. Custody Keeping inmates in safe place of confinement to satisfaction of the court.
2. Control Maintaining discipline within the prison premises.
3. Care Meeting basic needs of the inmates
4. Correction Providing treatment (physical, mental and psychological counseling) to reform and rehabilitate the convicted inmates.
5. Cure Provision of facilities that are needed for a normal person to become productive member of the society.
Functions of the Prison
1. Execute the sentence awarded by the Court.
2. Maintenance, Care, Custody and transfer of prisoners.
3. Maintenance of orders and discipline amongst the prisoners.
4. Control of expenditure relating to prison management.
5. Enforcement of Prison Act, all Laws, Rules/Regulations and orders pertaining to the protection and maintenance of prison/prisoners.
6. Imparting useful education / training to the prisoners in various trades/skills and other vocational disciplines for their rehabilitation.
7. Organizing of recreational programmes, welfare measures and psychological counseling of inmates for their correction and rehabilitation.
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