Overcrowded Adiala Jail houses 2,300 more inmates than capacity

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ISLAMABAD: The Adiala Jail superintendent on Friday told Islamabad High Court (IHC) that there were 2,300 extra prisoners in jail against the actual capacity of 1,500.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a plea filed by a prisoner — Khadim Hussain — for provision of medical facilities at the prison.

The superintendent informed the court that the jail was built for 1,500 prisoners, but currently 4,800 prisoners are incarcerated at the facility.

Justice Minallah took note of the absence of human rights and health ministry officials and remarked that they will not be spared anymore.

“I myself was a guest of Adiala and know well the situation there,” the top judge remarked.

He said jail authorities were unaware of their obligations and powers, adding that prisoners were not just the responsibility of jail management but of the state as well.

During the last hearing, IHC had directed the human rights ministry to produce details of ill and sick prisoners in jails of all provinces of the country.

The high court had formed a committee under the supervision of Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari. The court had also directed the health ministry to make medical boards in all the provinces.

The court has also set the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the commission which stated that the commission will investigate the violation of human rights in jail, find prisoners who failed to approach the court due to lack of financial resources and will investigate the failure of the departments.

The commission will also work on the implementation of jail laws regarding the sick prisoners and would give its suggestions.

Originally published in The News