Steps are being taken to bring in jail reforms to increase the security environment and upgrade basic facilities for the under trial prisoners (UTPs). This was stated by Home Minister Sindh, Dr Zulfikar Ali Mirza, while presiding over a meeting regarding the status and progress of various on-going development schemes of the Sindh Prison Department.

The meeting discussed the progress and viability of the on-going schemes threadbare. The minister gave instructions to remove the bottlenecks so that the scheme could be completed in stipulated time. Expressing his concern over the lengthy procedures for approval of the development schemes, the minister directed for proper coordination among the concerned department to save time and make the schemes most viable and beneficial.

IG Prison Mohammed Yamin Khan briefed the minister about 13 approved on-going schemes with special reference to their status and progress. He said that priority was given to extend the number of barracks throughout the jails in Sindh province to overcome overcrowding problem. Development schemes for providing drinking water and healthcare facilities to prisoners were also in progress, he added.

Central prison may get video-conference system: A proposal to install a video-conference system at the Central Prison Karachi (CPK) is being considered to facilitate the proceedings of court cases of the under-trial prisoners in the jail.

Under the proposal, a video studio will be set up in the jail whereas screens will be installed in the regular court rooms.

Briefing on the proposed system was given to Sindh Minister Home, Jail, and Forests, Zulfiqar Mirza.

During his visit of the Karachi Central Jail on Friday, he directed preparation of a report on the proposed system, keeping in view the pros and cons o the proposal.

He further directed the IG, Prisons, to maintain the jail records and facilitate the jail inmates according to the Prison Rules.