CM Murad committed to turn jails into “correction houses”
CM Murad committed to turn jails into “correction houses”
Zafar Ahmed Khan
Pakistan

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that he was committed to turn provincial jails into correction houses just to make the inmates useful, peaceful and responsible citizens when they were released after completion of their sentence. 

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that he was committed to turn provincial jails into correction houses just to make the inmates useful, peaceful and responsible citizens when they were released after completion of their sentence.

He said that the prisoners have not been given remission from 2013. “I’ll not only give you remission for the current year but will find out [legal] provision to give you remission for the intervening period also.”

This he said on March 23 while speaking at a programme organized in connection with Pakistan Day here at Central Jail Karachi. The programme was hosted by Minister for Jail Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. Those who attended the Pakistan Day function include Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, CM Advisor on Information Murtaza Wahab, Home Secretary Kazi Kabir, IG Police Dr Kaleem Imam,  Adl IG Karachi Dr Ameer Shaikh, Advocate General Sindh, Prosecutor General Sindh and other concerned officers.

The chief minister said that there was a dire need to introduce jail reforms. “We have introduced some important reforms but they are not enough and now more reforms were required to improve enteral conditions in jails,” he said and added “actually, apart from educational and technical activities, I want to start some behavioral exercises and psychotherapy for inmates so that their behavior can be changed,” he said and added “attitudes towards punishment have changed over time. The methods of punishment that were deemed acceptable in the past are now considered to be cruel because they have failed to produce results.”

Shah said that our prosecution and investigation system have serious flaws, therefore various prisoners were still languishing in the jails despite completing their jail term. The chief minister said that a prisoner told him that he was in the jail in a narcotics case but 10 years have passed but still his case was not challaned in the court. “Different prisoners have told me different stories and all those [stories] were speaking volume of flaws in our entire system, therefore we have to improve it at any cost,” he vowed.

Mr Shah in deafening slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ felicitated Pakistan Day to the inmates and said he was feeling sorry to see them celebrating March 23 in incarceration. “I am quite disturbed to see a crowd of prisoners in the jail. “I want to see each and every one of you to lead a free, independent and respectable life with your families,” he said and added “I’ll be happy and satisfied when our jail will turn deserted but all this will be possible when we all, including the government will behave responsible society.”

The chief minister was presented Calligraphy and his portrait of pencil work made by prisoners at the end of the programme.
The chief minister went into the crowed of prisoners who had gathered to listen to him and met each and every one and listened to their grievances sympathetically. He issued directives to the jail authorities, and his advisor Murtaza Wahab to to provide relief. Latter, the chief minister held a meeting with Advisor Law Murtaza Wahab, Advocate General Sindh, Prosecutor General, Home Secretary, IG Jail, IG Prisoner, Adl IG Karachi and other concerned officers and discussed the different law for giving remission to the convicted prisoners.

The laws which came under discussion, include Education Remission Under Rule-215 of Pakistan Prison Rules, Release of Lifers under Rule 140(ii) of PPR, release of convicted prisoners who have completed half of their substantive sentence under Section 401 C.r.p.c; release of good conduct prisoners, release of over-aged & infirm prisoners under Rule 148 of PPR, special remission under Rule-216 of PPR and payment of Diyyat amount.

The chief minister said that he has seen aged, infirm and disabled prisoners. “This is quite painful to see them in such an incarcerated life – they should be released,” he said.

Shah directed his legal team to prepare recommendations for release of those prisoners who were aged, sick, disabled and those whose cases were under trial from last over 10 years. He directed his law advisor Murtaza Wahab to seek guidance from the judiciary also.

Shah also directed Minister for Prison Syed Nasir Shah to present him a list of the inmates who have been granted bail but have no money to deposit their surety. “I want to discuss this matter in the cabinet and want to give relief to such prisoners,” he said.
The chief minister visited hospital of the Central Jail and met with each and every patient. He issued directive for providing best medical treatment to the inmates admitted in the hospital.

The chief minister visited different barracks and met with the inmates and had biryani with them.  Earlier, the chief minister was given guard of honour when he arrived at Central Jail.