WOMEN PRISON REFORMS IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF PESHAWAR PRISON

Abstract

Pakistan after becoming independent inherited prisons` rules of the British India. To coop with the requirements of the newly independent state it required drastic reforms in its prisons rules. For the purpose Punjab Prison Development Commission led by Salamat Ullah, I.G Prisons was established. The first meeting of its committee was held on Oct 4, 1950. Due to the efforts of the Committee the prisoner situation improved through the Punjab Jail Manual of 1955. The Law and Justice Commissions of Pakistan has received feedbacks emphasizing amelioration of the condition of prisons. Pakistan is a civilized member of international community and has incorporated fundamental rights in its constitution and is one of the signatories of many conventions and treaties relating to treatment of prisoners. The focus of the study is to gauge the causes of the miserable conditions of the women prisoners in Peshawar jail. Are violations of provisions taking place due to lack of enforcement mechanism of international law? Is it still far behind the minimum standard specified by international community through conventions and treaties? A bird eye view shows that many women prisoners are innocent and unhygienic and congested prisons are affecting them physically and mentally. Children with their mothers in prisons are suffering the most. It is one of the major flaws in the judicial set up of Pakistan that under-trial prisoners have been living there for several years and if proved innocent after completion of the trial, no compensation is provided to them. The factual situation of women prisoners and their children shows violation of the fundamental provisions of the Convention on the Eliminations of all Form of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW), and Convention on the youngster Rights (CRC). Data for the research have been collected from different reports, books, articles and field work. Prisoners and administrative officials, scholars and other stake holders were interviewed to know reality related to the conditions of women prisoners in Peshawar jail and then recommendations have been given on that basis.