ISLAMABAD: A National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) report on Thursday revealed that Pakistan’s prisons were in a state of crisis, housing 102,026 inmates in facilities designed for just 65, 811 with occupancy reaching a staggering 152.9 per cent.

In extreme cases, such as Karachi’s Central Prison, overcrowding exceeded 300 per cent, the report said.

These findings were part of the Prison Data Report 2024, a collaborative study by the NCHR, the National Academy of Prison Administration (Napa) and Justice Project Pakistan (JPP).

The report highlighted critical issues plaguing Pakistan’s prison system including overcrowding, prolonged pretrial detention and systemic neglect of vulnerable populations such as women and juveniles.

A startling 73.41 per cent of prisoners were under trial, exposing inefficiencies in the justice system and delays in judicial processes. Women and juveniles faced particularly severe challenges, with only four prisons nationwide designated for women and 85.1 per cent of juveniles still awaiting trial.

Additionally, over 23 per cent of inmates were imprisoned for drug-related offences, underscoring the need for rehabilitation-focused approaches rather than punitive measures.

The findings served as a crucial resource for policymakers and stakeholders, aiming to spark dialogue and action to reform Pakistan’s prison system, said NCHR.

The report called for aligning the system with international standards such as the Mandela Rules and Bangkok Rules.

It advocated for alternative sentencing measures, including probation and community service, to address overcrowding and tackle the root causes of crime.

“Overcrowding, inadequate access to basic necessities and human rights violations are significant challenges in Pakistan’s prisons,” said NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha.

She emphasised the importance of non-custodial measures such as probation and restorative justice to alleviate overcrowding.

“The NCHR conducts regular inspections to assess prison conditions and ensure recommendations align with national and international human rights standards,” she added.

Sarah Belal, Executive Director of JPP, underscored the moral and systemic crisis posed by overcrowding. “Every additional inmate in an overcrowded cell is a testament to our failure to provide justice,” she stated.

Sarah Belal stressed the need for evidence-based reforms, including revising sentencing laws and improving bail provisions. “This report provides the data and insights necessary to drive reforms that prioritise humanity, dignity and justice.”

Azhar Rashid Khan, who is the Director General of Napa, highlighted the socio-economic factors driving prison overcrowding. “Most prisoners are petty offenders — individuals pushed into crime by poverty or desperation. Addressing these root causes would empty our prisons far faster than building new ones,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2025