Punjab govt launches educational program for prisoners

LAHORE: Punjab has implemented a complete educational program that will help eliminate prison illiteracy in all correctional facilities throughout the province.

The chief minister’s reform program now includes adult literacy courses, which will be implemented in all Punjab prisons. Task Force Chairman Rana Mannan Khan and Interior Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi officially opened inmate educational classrooms during their visit to District Jail Lahore.

Special Secretary Interior Zainab Khan, IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Additional Secretary Roman Borana, DG Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, DG Literacy Asim Javed, DIG Naveed Rauf, and Superintendent Zaheer Warraich attended the visit.

The program has established 176 literacy centers which operate in 44 prisons to provide education for 17600 inmates who attend classes at the same time.

The larger facilities will have 15 centers, while the smaller jails will operate four centers. The program provides both dedicated uniforms for teachers and learners, while educated inmates assume teaching positions at the centers.

The authorities have created incentives that allow prisoners to reduce their sentences by participating in teaching and learning programs. Inmate teachers will receive compensation from the Literacy and Basic Education Department for their work.

Rana Mannan Khan explained that Punjab prisons now operate as rehabilitation centers, which require educational assessments for all new inmates. He also explained that prison industries established a new marketing system to promote their products.