PESHAWAR, May 20: Speakers at a workshop have demanded that the government should form a committee to inspect jails and propose and implement reforms for improving their condition.

The two-day workshop on "The rights of vulnerable categories of prisoners" was organized by the Dost Foundation and the Penal Reform International to review the situation regarding women, juveniles, foreigners and minorities in the prisons of the province.

Peshawar Central Jail Superintendent Khalid Abbas said the men's sectionin the prison was accommodating 3,000 prisoners, whereas its capacity was 800. He said that situation was worst for women prisoners. He said the old women's section was demolished in 2002 and the new jail for them had not been constructed yet.

He said Rs11.5 was sanctioned for daily meals per prisoner, which was very low. District council member Shumail said all the prisoners living in the dark, suffocating jails were vulnerable and their rights were violated.

Women prisoners were facing problems as there were no female probation officers and often their relatives were not informed about their arrest, she said.

She recommended that accused women should not be kept in police stations after their arrest. The participants demanded that the government take steps to implement the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance.