LARKANA, Nov 11: Security around prisons is being reinforced to block escaping of prisoners from police custody, said the Sindh IG (Prisons) Mohammed Yamin Khan.

He told journalists here on Tuesday after visiting central prison and special jail for women that he had discussed the issue of escape of two prisoners in a fortnight from the custody of Larkana police with DIG Police Larkana. He said that those involved would be punished.

He said that narcotics and mobiles could not reach inside jails without the connivance of police and visitors. He said that the industry inside the jail was inactive since 2006 but now had been reactivated with inmates to get education, also.

He said that overcrowding in prisons was creating problems and to address the issue, four new jails were being constructed in Sindh. He said within three month’s time the department would get the possession of jails of Noshehrofeoz and Ghotki.

The IG prisons later held a meeting with Justice Zaffar Ahmed Khan Sherwani, member of the prisoners committee constituted by the chief justice of the Sindh High Court. They discussed the prevailing situation in jails of Larkana region.

Justice Sherwani asked the IG prisons to ensure regular production of prisoners in the court along with accelerating the process of constructing new jails in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

After his visits to jails of Larkana, Shikarpur, Justice Sherwani called on the IG prisons to address the issues of inmates regarding updated medical facilities, in time production of prisoners in respective courts, availability of safe water along with posting of doctors in jails.

He also urged the IG prisons to look into complaints of torture, corruption and overcrowding of prisons, the sources said.

The IG prisons assured Justice Sherwani that he would approach Sindh government for constructing more jails to accommodate prisoners along with providing them medical facilities.

He said that prisoners suffering from hepatitis B and C would be provided treatment. He said that department would ensure producing prisoners in respective courts for quick disposal of cases.

He hoped that with all such facilities, protests inside jails could stop.