Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that her experience in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail inspired several prison reforms introduced by the Punjab government.
Speaking at a judicial conference on prison reforms, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab has 45 prisons with a total capacity of around 39,000 inmates, but more than 70,000 prisoners are currently being held in the province’s jails.
She said many of the reforms introduced for prisoners were shaped by her personal experiences during imprisonment.
Maryam Nawaz recalled being kept in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail, where she had little privacy. She said the prison cell had a toilet on one side and a sleeping area on the other, leaving her unsure where to place her prayer mat.
She said the experience helped her understand the difficulties faced by prisoners and led the Punjab government to introduce reforms, including video-link facilities for inmates.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said his government is implementing comprehensive prison reforms, including rehabilitation centres and screening of inmates before they enter prisons.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said prison reforms should begin with Adiala Jail and called for a waiting area for visitors outside the prison.
He said prisons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have introduced e-visiting and video-call facilities for inmates. He also called for the PTI founder to be allowed to speak with his sons through video link.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said his government has taken several steps to improve prisoner welfare and prison conditions, including providing worship facilities for Christian inmates.
