January 07, 2009	Wednesday	Muharram 09, 1430

KARACHI, Jan 6: The government has taken the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) on board in its jail reforms and prisoners’ rehabilitation programme, initially setting up offices of the committee at different jails across the province.

The decision came during a visit by Sindh Minister for Prisons Muzaffar Ali Shujra to the Central Prison Karachi and his meeting with Inspector-General of Prisons Syed Mushtaq Shah on Tuesday.

CPLC chairman Sharfuddin Memon, his deputy Shaukat Suleman and senior jail officials were also present.

“The meeting was aimed at improving the overall situation at prisons in Sindh,” said a CPLC statement. “It was decided during the discussion that CPLC offices would be established at all prisons in Sindh, including Karachi’s Central Prison and Landhi Jail,” it added.

The meeting also decided to prepare a centralised database of all the prisoners. The data would include photographs and finger prints of the inmates. Surveillance cameras would also be installed in prisons with an online link with the home department, offices of provincial police officer and the CPLC.

“We would focus on improving health facilities available at the prisons and make sure that a better quality and hygienic food is made available to prisoners. The area earmarked for the visitors will also be improved,” said the CPLC chief. He said the meeting noted that the per day food allowance being given to each prisoner was insufficient and should be enhanced. It was also proposed that the planned database should include record of prisoners’ production in courts and hearings of their cases, he added.