The Lahore High Court has ordered the government to revamp prison industries and provide inmates with basic skills to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The court stressed the alignment of educational curricula in prisons with public and private institutions to enhance inmates’ job opportunities after release.
In response to a public interest petition filed by human rights activist Reza Qazi, the court highlighted the need for productive participation of prisoners in manufacturing and skilled labour. It directed the establishment of open minimum security prisons, where inmates in the final year of their sentence could participate in community work and industrial activities to prepare for reintegration.
The Supreme Court also advised to simplify the parole process and recommended that parolees participate in industries and business sectors based on their qualifications, skills and age. Furthermore, the court urged the government to expand vocational training programs within prisons and align them with the needs of local industries to enhance the economic prospects of released inmates.
To enhance operational efficiency, the court called for the introduction of an electronic prisoner file management system to ensure transparency and track progress in skills development. It also proposed establishing modern prison industries and leveraging partnerships with commercial enterprises to create job opportunities for inmates.
The court stressed the importance of training prison staff to manage industrial facilities and provide inmates with industrial and technical skills, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to economic activities while in prison. Regular progress reports on these reforms will be submitted to the probation judge for oversight.