Punjab is undertaking one of the country’s comprehensive prison reform programmes, seeking to transform correctional facilities from overcrowded places of detention into institutions that emphasize rehabilitation, education, healthcare and human dignity alongside security. Through investment in infrastructure, administrative reforms and technological innovation, the provincial government is pursuing a correctional model that aims not only to enforce the law but also to prepare prisoners for successful reintegration into society.
The reforms come as Punjab’s prisons continue to face severe overcrowding. The prison population fluctuates between 68,000 and 79,000 inmates. Nearly 73 percent of prisoners are undertrial detainees, highlighting the need for faster criminal trials and stronger probation and parole mechanisms. To ease the pressure, prison capacity has already increased from 30,000 to 39,000, with a target of expanding it further to 43,718 by 2027.
Infrastructure development remains central to the reform agenda. An additional Rs1.3 billion has been allocated to accelerate construction of the Nankana Sahib prison, while new prisons at Nankana Sahib and Samundri are scheduled for completion this year. Construction of 27 additional barracks is also underway across Punjab, with new correctional facilities planned for Chiniot and Murree.
Alongside expanding prison capacity, the provincial government is introducing measures to improve inmates’ welfare and access to justice. A formalised Legal Aid Agency is providing free legal assistance to financially disadvantaged prisoners, while work is underway to strengthen probation and parole systems and support quicker disposal of criminal cases. Prison hospitals are now subject to regular inspections by the Punjab Healthcare Commission. Between January and June 2026, 91,266 prisoners received medical screening and treatment, while 74 professional psychologists have been engaged to improve mental healthcare within prisons.
Women and children have become an important focus of the reforms. Mothers living in prison with children up to six years of age are receiving nutritional support, while improved hygiene facilities have been introduced for female inmates. Three modern women’s prisons are under construction in Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. At juvenile correctional institutions, education, vocational training and recreational facilities are being expanded to promote rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Education and skills development are at the heart of Punjab’s correctional strategy. Under the Chief Minister’s Literacy Programme, 4,141 inmates have enrolled in formal education. Through the “One Barrack, One Library” initiative, 472 prisoners have completed matriculation, 367 intermediate education and 140 graduation. Vocational training is being provided in computer applications, mobile phone repair, welding, tailoring, cooking, motorcycle and tractor maintenance, while prison industries operating in 15 correctional facilities produce furniture, carpets, tuff tiles, melamine crockery, sports goods and household products, helping inmates acquire employable skills before release.
Technology is also modernising prison administration. Digital remission management, biometric verification, X-ray screening systems and integrated security mechanisms are being introduced to improve transparency and efficiency. Eleven district lock-ups have already been upgraded, while five major prisons have shifted to solar energy. Prisoners now have access to audio and video calling facilities, along with 80 minutes of weekly telephone communication through prison PCO services. Since 2024, 2,554 inmates have been transferred to prisons closer to their home districts, making it easier for families to maintain regular contact. The provincial government is also remodelling 30 prison transport vehicles with air conditioning, onboard washrooms, surveillance cameras and improved seating to ensure safer and more dignified transportation.
The reforms are grounded in Pakistan’s constitutional and legal framework. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees the inviolability of human dignity, while prison administration is governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 and the Punjab Prison Rules. Pakistan is also a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against Torture (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The reform agenda also reflects the principles of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), the internationally recognised benchmark for humane prison administration.
The reforms are equally consistent with Islamic teachings that emphasise justice, compassion and respect for human dignity. The Holy Quran states, “Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam” (17:70), affirming the inherent dignity of every human being. By combining expanded infrastructure with healthcare, legal assistance, education, vocational training and modern prison management, Punjab is seeking to build a correctional system that protects society while offering prisoners a genuine opportunity for rehabilitation and a productive return to their communities to start a new phase of life.
The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at [email protected]