Significant progress has been achieved under the Punjab Chief Minister’s jail reforms agenda, under which no inmate in Punjab’s prisons will remain illiterate. An adult literacy programme has been launched in all prisons across Punjab. Chairman Task Force Rana Mannan Khan and Interior Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi visited District Jail Lahore, where literacy center classrooms for inmates were inaugurated and interactions were held with teachers and students.

Special Secretary Interior Zainab Khan, IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Additional Secretary Roman Borana, DG Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, DG Literacy Asim Javed, DIG Naveed Rauf, Superintendent Zaheer Warraich and other officials were also present. A total of 176 literacy centers have been established in 44 prisons across Punjab, with 17,600 inmates currently receiving education at one time. Larger prisons will have 15 literacy centers, while smaller prisons will have four each.

Teachers and students in jail literacy centers have been provided special uniforms. Educated inmates have been appointed as teachers in these centers, and both teachers and students will receive remission in their sentences for teaching and learning. The Literacy and Basic Education Department will also provide compensation to prison teachers. Chairman Task Force Rana Manan Khan said that Punjab’s prisons are being transformed into true reform centers, adding that every inmate will undergo educational screening upon entry.

He said a modern system has been introduced for the sale of products made by prisoners in jail industries, and efforts are being made to reform offenders through better environment and training. Interior Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi said that if a prisoner is released before completing education, the literacy department will ensure continuation of studies outside prison. He added that an adult literacy programme is also being launched for 40,000 probationers in Punjab.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)