UNODC ready to support reforms to update prison system in Punjab

LAHORE: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has expressed its interest and support to a series of significant reforms aimed at modernizing the prison system in Punjab.

In a bid to improve infrastructure, training and staff capabilities, the UNODC will assist in solarizing provincial prisons, upgrading IT equipment at the Prisons Staff College and providing expert-led training through master trainers for prison staff. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve the overall efficiency and ethical standards of the prison system in the province.

Official sources revealed that as part of the project, UNODC will provide modern IT equipment— including computer hardware, multimedia devices and projectors — to enhance the training capabilities of the Prisons Staff College located in Sahiwal.

The goal is to bolster the training and development of prison staff, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to manage prisons more effectively and in line with international standards. Additionally, world-renowned master trainers will lead specialized training sessions aimed at eliminating harsh behaviour and abusive language among lower-level prison staff, fostering a more professional and ethical environment.

The UNODC has previously supported the Punjab Prison Reforms Department through its involvement in the Provincial Management Information System (PMIS), an integrated data system linking courts, police stations and prisons. This partnership has already seen substantial investments in equipment and infrastructure, with millions of rupees spent on the setup of the PMIS, which aims to streamline operations across the criminal justice system.

During a recent meeting between UNODC officials and the Punjab Inspector General (IG) of Prisons, Mian Farooq Nazir, UNODC’s Pakistan head, Arslan Malik, expressed strong interest in solarizing prisons across the province.

Jail authorities briefed the delegation on a pilot project for solarization at the District Jail Kasur, with an estimated cost of Rs40.247 million. The move is seen as a critical step toward reducing energy costs and improving the environmental sustainability of the prison system.

However, IG Mian Farooq Nazir, while acknowledging the support from UNODC, clarified that Punjab’s prison reform needs differ from those of other provinces such as Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Nazir emphasized that Punjab is already ahead of these provinces in terms of reform efforts, and thus, the province’s needs should be addressed according to its own specific reform plans. He stated that while Punjab does not require financial aid, support for capacity building and further strengthening of prison staff’s skills is crucial.

Nazir added that the Punjab government is already allocating significant resources and funds to support prison development projects and that the focus of external support should be on enhancing the capacity of staff through training and advanced technological resources.