HYDERABAD, Oct 7: Overcrowding in prisons of Hyderabad zone is the main problem and jail staff in the prisons need teargas guns, shells and smoke bombs to contain mutiny and control violence by prisoners, it was disclosed at a meeting of jail and police officials presided over by the DIG police Hyderabad Sanaullah Abbasi here on Tuesday.

Various security measures were also discussed in the meeting, held in backdrop of a mutiny by prisoners in the central prison Hyderabad last week.

The meeting was attended by AIG prisons Dr. Ashiq Ali Memon, Superintendent of Central Prison Abdul Majeed Siddiqui, superintendents of district jails of Dadu, Nawabshah, Badin, Sujawal and superintendent special prison Nara and in-charges of judicial lock-ups Sakrand, Nasrullah Charro, New Hala, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed by Hyderabad central prison chief that against sanctioned strength of 1527, 2410 prisoners are lodged in jail. He said that in case of any emergency or mutiny the prison administration always ran siren to alert frontier constabulary officials and jail staff while district police are immediately informed and they normally reach jail on time along with teargas guns and weapons. He said that strength of jail staff is 292 with two platoons of FC which is deployed inside the jail. He added that these personnel badly needed 10 teargas guns, 1000 shells and smoke bombs besides rubber bullets.

Dadu district prison superintendent informed the meeting that the prison doesn’t have wireless set and all contacts are made through telephone service. It was proposed by in-charge superintendent special prison Nara that the prison staff comprising 104 personnel and one FC platoon required two teargas gun, 100 shells, smoke bombs and rubber bullets. At least 394 prisoners are lodged in his prison.

Against a sanctioned strength of 100, 335 prisoners are lodged in Nawabshah district jail where two head constables and 12 police constables are deployed round the clock in addition to jail staff inside the jail. The DIG was specifically informed about problem of over-crowding in jails.

Speaking on the occasion the DIG said that the issues raised by prison officials would be formulated in shape of recommendations to be forwarded to Sindh government’s high officials. He said that steps are being taken so that gas guns and fire brigade services could be provided in prisons. He said that effective patrolling by district police is to be ensured outside the prisons.

He, however, urged prison officials to keep a close vigil on their subordinates and they must be held accountable so that no unpleasant incident could take place. He said that wireless set would soon be provided in Dadu district jail.

He maintained that prisoners, who are lodged in judicial lock-ups and facing trial for heinous crimes, would be shifted to central jail.

Besides, he said, efforts would be made to get women and juvenile offenders released on bail as they are booked in minor offences for which NGOs would be approached. He said that it would help resolve issue of over-crowding to some extent.

He said that proposals for establishment of public call office (PCOs) in jails are being made while a plan was being prepared for security of prisoners who are under treatment in hospitals.