KARACHI: Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi on Friday said prison reforms initiated under directives of the Supreme Court continued to be in progress as biometric system was installed in 14 prisons of Sindh while a facility of online meeting was made available to jail inmates.

While chairing a meeting to review progress on prison reforms in Sindh, the federal ombudsman said that the online meeting facility would enable the relatives, who otherwise could not afford to travel to meet the prisoners, get in contact with the inmates through computers and mobile phones at home.

Mr Qureshi informed the meeting that 15 implementation reports on prison reforms had been submitted to the Supreme Court up till now while the 16th report would be presented soon.

He directed the IG prisons Sindh to expedite work on installation of the biometric system in all prisons in the province along with the construction of the Thatta Jail.

On the recommendations of the reforms committee, steps should be taken to connect the biometric system with the National Database Registration Authority, police, prosecution and other relevant agencies, he further said.

Referring to the medical facilities for the prisoners, the ombudsman directed officers of prisons and health departments to ensure the provision of doctors in all prisons.

He was also briefed that needy and destitute prisoners were being provided free legal aid and financial assistance to settle their fines with the cooperation of legal aid offices, NGOs and philanthropists.

The basic facilities of clean drinking water, washrooms, sport places, education, health and waiting areas were also being ensured in the prisons while female, juvenile, and transgender prisoners were being kept in separate sections.

The meeting was further informed that drug addicts, mentally unstable and those suffering from T.B, Hepatitis, and other critical diseases were being kept in separate barracks and duly attended by doctors.

Arrangements of technical education had also been made in the prisons and free education system from class one to matric had been introduced in all prisons and arrangements were also in hand to conduct their exams in the premises of the respective jails, it was told.

Furthermore, books and reading material on religious and social themes were being provided in the libraries for character building.

The ombudsman lauded the steps and some new initiatives by the provincial government, which he hoped would lead to a better environment for prisoners.

He stated that the conditions of prisons located in Sindh also needed to be reviewed to provide facilities for legal aid, healthcare, education, and skill development at par with the Central Prison Karachi.

Additional chief secretary home, secretaries of local government and health departments, IG prisons Sindh, head of Wafaqi Mohtasib Regional Office Karachi Syed Anwar Hyder and senior officers of other relevant departments also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2023