LAHORE: Punjab caretaker government decided to provide video call facility to inmates in Punjab jails and video call pilot project will be launched in Lahore jail within seven days. Meeting presided over by cCaretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed video link trial for prisoners and other prison-related reforms. CM also sought report on video trial pilot project.

Model waiting and meeting areas will be built in five model jails. Meeting decided that 10 more jails will offer TEVTA courses to inmates. Principled decision to allow prisoners to offer Fajr and Maghrib prayers in congregation was also taken in meeting.

As many as 71 prisoners will be released before Eidul Fitr by paying Diyat (compensation payable to victims or their legal heirs) and fines etc. Philanthropists and Punjab government will pay diyat and fines of indigent prisoners, meeting observed.

CM was informed during meeting that installation of CCTV cameras in 28 jails across province had been completed. Additionally, 15 more prisons will have CCTV cameras installed.

In briefing, it was stated that control room would be activated in IG office for 24/7 monitoring and that with video link trial in jail, there will be no need to transport prisoners to court.

Open air gyms have been set up in nine prisons and project will be expanded in further prisons as well. Furthermore, medical equipment worth Rs 40 billion will be purchased for prison hospitals.

Additional Chief Secretary Home, Secretary Finance, IG Jails, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board and other relevant officials attended.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 15 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.