SUKKUR: Police and paramilitary forces have been advised to hold a joint drill on regular basis at and around the Sukkur Central Prison to improve security.

Directives in this regard were issued by Sukkur Commissioner Mohammad Abbas Baloch during his visit to the prison along with Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Tahir Thaheem, DIG Sharjeel Kareem Kharal, SSP Fida Hussain Shah and other senior officials on Wednesday.

The commissioner called for a joint drill by personnel of the district and prison police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary to ensure foolproof security of the prison, staff and inmates.

Jail Superintendent Aijaz Hyder informed him that at present, 40 district police, 16 Rangers and 140 FC personnel were performing their duties at the jail.

“Continuous patrolling inside and outside the prison during the night hours is ensured.” the jail chief said.

He informed the commissioner that signal jammers and CCTV cameras were being installed and a boundary wall was being raised around the prison. He said a walk-through gate and metal detectors were needed to complete the security plan.

DIG Kharal suggested that a cell under the supervision of the headquarters ASP should be formed to monitor and improve the security system. He said the jail chief was advised to computerise data of the prison inmates in consultation with the authorities concerned.

The jail chief informed the commissioner that the prison had a capacity of housing 1,661 prisoners and at present there were 951 inmates, including 350 undertrial, kept in various barracks. Among them were 33 juvenile prisoners, he added.

He said inmates were served food twice a day.

The commissioner asked the prisoners about their problems and the facilities meant for them.

He asked the jail authorities to ensure provision of all basic facilities to each and every inmate. He also called for quality education and training for them as available at the Karachi Central Prison so that they could transform themselves into noble and useful citizens.

The commissioner said that prisoners should be given training in different trades according to their aptitude in order to help them have a respectable livelihood after completing their jail terms.

He issued directives for provision of adequate safe drinking water, installation of a Roti plant, proper gas supply and other basic facilities to inmates.

He said such reforms would keep convicts away from crime after their return home from jail.