TAXILA: Chairman Punjab Chief Minister’s Task Force for Prisons Rana Manan Khan has said the government is making efforts to transform prisons into rehabilitation centres.

He expressed these views while talking to newsmen after visiting District Jail Attock to review ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing conditions for inmates. He added that the government had planned a series of reforms aimed at transforming prisons into rehabilitation centres.

Responding to a question, the CM’s aide said that according to the chief minister’s vision, jails should be transformed into training centres, emphasising plans to enhance inmates’ education and rehabilitation in a bid to improve the welfare of prisoners. He said efforts were underway to revamp the visitation system with a shift towards an online platform to streamline and modernise the process.

“Key initiatives include the establishment of day-care centres for inmates with young children and large-scale administrative reshuffles to enhance the prison system’s efficiency”, he added.

Earlier, Rana Manan Khan toured various barracks of Attock’s jail and assessed the measures being implemented for prisoners’ welfare. He reviewed facilities in wards for women and children.

He also interacted with inmates to inquire about police behaviour, food services, visitation rights, health facilities, and other concerns. He inspected the prison’s hospital, kitchen, factory and various barracks, assessing the quality of facilities available to prisoners.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024