KARACHI, Oct 22: The Inspector-General of Prisons, Mohammed Yamin Khan, on Wednesday held in abeyance the earlier order subjecting newly admitted prisoners to quarantine restrictions.

He suspended the implementation of the order after receiving a number of complaints of torture and extortion by prison staff during the prisoners’ five-day stay in separate wards.

During this period, the prison staff would subject newcomers to harassment and torture, and would send them to their barracks only on payment of the demanded amount of money, it was observed.

The rule held in abeyance — Rule 13 of Pakistan Prison Rules (PPR) — authorises the jail superintendents to keep the newly admitted prisoners in quarantine and reads: “Note: “Newly admitted prisoners may be kept in quarantine for not more than five days.”

The IG underlining the spirit of the rule said that the newly admitted prisoners should be kept at a separate place to ensure that they were not suffering from any communicable disease that could affect other inmates.

He explained that the word “may” used in the rule defines that it was not mandatory upon the jail authorities to keep every newcomer at a separate place for quarantine but only when it was deemed necessary.

“The huge number of complaints by prisoners shows that jail superintendents have been using this rule not for the purposes of what it was meant for but for extorting money through harassment and torture,” he remarked.

Yamin Khan said the recent unrest at different jails in Sindh was a result of serious complaints against jail staff, including harassment and extortion during quarantine period.

The order issued by the IG reads: 1: The operation of Rule 13 of PPR should immediately be stopped and every prisoner admitted to jail may be sent to his allocated barrack the same day and within three hours after his arrival. The office administration should complete all legal formalities, including medical facilities, within this time limit.

2: The jail superintendent should ensure that no money is demanded from the prisoners for meetings with their family members, court production, sending them to hospital on or for availing undue medical facilities.

Mr Khan warned that any violation or disobedience of the new order would be taken very seriously and warrant strict action against the jail officers/staff concerned.—APP