SIALKOT, Nov 21: A foolproof security system has been established in the district jail with scores of surveillance cameras have also been installed to avert tragedy similar to that of July 24, 2003. Established some 142 years ago in 1863, this old Sialkot jail building has already been declared dangerous some time back by the authorities concerned.

It may be mentioned that the Narowal district is without its own jail even after attaining the status of the district headquarters.

Jail superintendent Muhammad Yousaf Ghouri said that a special computer laboratory had been established in the jail in active collaboration with the local business community for giving computer training to prisoners.

Besides, he said that religious education would also be imparted to all the male and female prisoners in this overcrowded jail with having a total capacity of 662 prisoners.

He said that a well-equipped operation theatre had also been set up in jail’s hospital while a modern ECG and dento-surgical machines were also installed there for providing better health facilities to prisoners.

In addition, he said, two modern automatic bread plants had also been installed in the jail kitchen which had the capacity of cooking bread for all the 2,500 prisoners only in three-and-a-half-hours. Earlier, prisoners had to struggle hard day and night for cooking bread at jail tandoors.

District government officials told reporters that provincial and district governments plan of establishing a new jail was in the pipeline.

They said the district government had established a socio-economic centre at a cost of Rs1.6 million in the district jail for the welfare and rehabilitation of women prisoners and their children.