Daily Times

What comes to our minds when the word ‘jail’ is uttered to us? Of course, an under-resourced facility overcrowded with hardened criminals and innocent people. The dire need for jail reform came under discussion in a recent high-level session chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. This is a promising sign that the new chief justice has put his focus on developing a National Jail Reform Policy to improve conditions in jails, address overcrowding and ensure the welfare of inmates.

Jail reforms are essential for Pakistan if the government wants to create a just and fair criminal justice system. By focusing on rehabilitative practices, such as educational programmes and mental health support, jails can serve as spaces for positive transformation rather than punishment alone. The CJP’s initiative, if followed through, could set a precedent for a modernised prison system that values human dignity and prepares inmates for reintegration into society. As this reform journey begins in Lahore, it is hoped that it will soon spread nationwide, bringing much-needed relief to inmates and improving overall justice in Pakistan.

Data by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan on jails is alarming. The country’s prison system is severely strained, with over 108,000 inmates held in facilities built to house just 66,000. Punjab, in particular, faces acute issues, with its jails holding nearly twice their intended capacity. This overcrowding results in inhumane conditions, lack of space, and limited access to basic services, which worsens the situation for under-trial prisoners, many of whom have been awaiting hearings for over a year.

Among those facing harsh conditions is PTI Chairman Imran Khan, currently detained at Adiala Jail. Reports say he has been subjected to stringent restrictions, such as ban on meetings. This shows the lack of adequate facilities even for high-profile prisoners. Such treatment reflects the poor state of prison infrastructure, where facilities are unable to meet the basic needs of all inmates, let alone provide rehabilitative support.

The chief justice’s plan to adopt international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules, for jail is an important step. Such standards stress humane treatment and rehabilitation over mere confinement. In the coming days, we will see how the judiciary and the executive see eye to eye to on jail reforms. The most important thing is that both the government and the opposition have several figures who been jailed and they have experience in the prison system. Both sides must stand united to develop practical strategies to address jail issues. *