DURING my recent visits to the central prisons of Karachi and Hyderabad in connection with an academic thesis, I had the opportunity to witness first-hand the evolving landscape of prison rehabilitation in Pakistan. I was pleasantly surprised to find that inside the prison walls, various vocational and educational rehabilitation programmes are actively functioning with the support of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), equipping the inmates with life skills and restoring their sense of purpose.

These initiatives are truly transformative and deserve greater public recognition and state support. What struck me the most, however, was not the programmes, but the human touch that was palpable in the environment.

Contrary to the often-harsh stereotypes associated with correctional institutions, I observed a genuine sense of empathy, patience and commitment among many prison officials; both officers and staff. The environment reflected discipline, but no dehumanisation.

It would be nice if mental health pro-fessionals — trained counsellors, psycho- logists and psychiatrists — may be brought on board to address the often-unseen psychological trauma and disorders that many inmates silently endure. Mental health support is essential if we are to truly reintegrate offenders into society as responsible individuals.

Rehabilitation within prisons is not merely an idealistic vision; it is a pragmatic investment in safer communities and reduced recidivism. Policymakers should build on the existing momentum, ensuring a holistic rehabilitation framework that includes psychological wellbeing at its core.

Taniya Ahmed
Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025