RAWALPINDI, Jan 21: Meningitis was the leading cause of death in Adiala jail during 2002, whereas 1,473 detainees were suffering from scabies, says a report.

The report prepared by International Human Rights Monitoring (IHRM) on situation at the jail was launched at Rawalpindi Press Club on Tuesday.

The IHRM executive director, Ulfat Kazmi, said 24 prisoners died during last year of which five committed suicide, six had meningitis, four were suffering from tuberculosis, five from Hepatitis, one each died due to high fever, AIDS, cardiac failure and negligence.

The death rate can be reduced by improving attitude of the prison staff, reducing jail population, improving quality of food and sanitation, he added.

Mr Kazmi said: “At present 80 prisoners are suffering from tuberculosis, 43 from Asthma, 64 from Hepatitis, 26 from meningitis and 1,473 from scabies.”

He said a major cause of spread of diseases in Adiala jail was its high population. The jail having a capacity of 1,800 is presently accommodating 5,621 people, including 227 women and 810 children, he added.

The director said jails in Punjab annually earn a handsome amount of Rs29.2 million through sale of products produced by the inmates, but a very little portion was utilized to improve their living conditions and healthcare facilities.

Regretting the indifferent attitude of the jail personnel towards the prisoners, he said: “they do not value human life.”

The jail officials say that 24 deaths are negligible as according to rules, death of two per cent inmates is tolerable, the director said.