KARACHI: SHC CJ orders under-trial prisoners’ shifting
By Shujaat Ali Khan
KARACHI, March 27: Chief Justice Sindh High Court Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad has ordered that all under trial prisoners be shifted from cells to barracks as was ordered earlier within the next 10 days and new barracks be constructed in Karachi Central Prison, District Jail Malir and Central Prison Hyderabad to lessen the overcrowding, it is reliably learnt.
He also asked the superintendent jails to furnish details of all those UTPs who were involved in minor offences carrying imprisonment less than three years so that their cases should be disposed of expeditiously. For this purpose, the chief justice would appoint magistrates to visit prisons and hold trial of their offences with in the prison premises, the sources added.
These orders were passed by the chief justice on the detailed report on the conditions of prisoners confined in the cells and prisons which was submitted by Special Home Secretary Rasheed Alam after visiting the above prisons in compliance with the order dated February 6, 2007 of the court.
According to the report, the number of UTPs is more than 80 per cent which has added to the discomfort of the prisoners due to lack of space. The report goes on to say as such that it is expedient that measures be taken to make arrangements for the quick disposal of cases.
In the report, submitted to the bench comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad and Justice Faisal Arab, it was recommended that there was an urgent requirement for constructing additional Barracks in all three prisons to remove overcrowding as sufficient open space was available at these prisons.
Other recommendations in the report which was prepared after a visit to the prisons by a three-member committee, are: existing blocks where cells are located in a row be converted into barracks to create more space to accommodate the over crowded prisoners leaving aside the cells reserved for keeping the condemned prisoners and the cells meant for solitary confinement.
In every prison, the barracks for UTPs and convicts be clearly earmarked to ensure complete segregation.
The possibility of raising a new district jail in Karachi in the area of Hawksbay, Baldia Town, or at Surjani Town needs to be examined by IG Prisons, with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 prisoners.
Dangerous prisoners accused of heinous crimes be allowed to be detained by the orders of IG prisons under Rule 723.
Central Prison Karachi: The prison was constructed in 1899 to accommodate 1,691 prisoners. On February 25, 2007, 6,280 prisoners were confined. They included 5,311 UTPs, 940 convicts, 29 detenues. There are 203 cells where 836 prisoners were confined, of which 558 were UTPs, 274 were convicted and four were detainees.
District Jail Malir Karachi: This jail was established in 1963 as a borstal institute/home for juvenile offenders/remand home to accommodate 550 juveniles. Later, it was converted in to District Jail East in 1993. In 1998 it was declared District Jail Malir.
At present District Jail Malir has a capacity to house 1,000 prisoners with in three circles. On the date of inspection, March 9, 2007, 3,399 prisoners were confined in the jail including 3,062 UTPs, 239 convicts and 98 detenues. There are 31 cells in the jail where 52 prisoners were confined
Central Prison Hyderabad: This prison was established in 1894 with a capacity of 1526 prisoners but on the day of its inspection March 4, 2007 there were 2418 prisoners (893 convicted,1474 UTPs, 13 detenues, 38 foreign nationals).
