LAHORE: The Punjab government has introduced new regulations for prisoners to use Public Call Office (PCO) services in jails across the province.
The Punjab Home Department notified that the prisoners will now have the facility to make audio and video calls to only their relatives, lawyers, and family members.
According to the new SOPs, the call service will be available from Monday to Saturday, between 8 AM and 5 PM for all prisoners, except those convicted for terrorism or anti-state activities.
According to the new rules, prisoners can use the PCO for 60 to 80 minutes a week.
“Each prisoner can register up to five phone numbers for contact purposes, but only close relatives, spouses, and legal representatives will be allowed to make contact,” the Home Department said in a statement.
Furthermore, a prisoner may file a complaint at the IG Jail Complaints Cell using the PCO booth at no charge. Female, juvenile, and death-row inmates will have their own PCO booth in their barracks, the statement read.
The statement also noted that the jail superintendent will submit a monthly computerised financial report regarding the PCO system to the Prison Foundation.
The Secretary of the Punjab Home Department has instructed strict enforcement of these newly issued rules.
