The Punjab government’s recent decision to allow prisoners to talk to their families on the phone is a welcome step towards prison reform. This decision is long overdue, as the previous ban on phone calls was a violation of the prisoners’ human rights.
The conditions in which prisoners are kept in Pakistan are often harsh and inhumane. They are often overcrowded, and they have limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare. The ban on phone calls only served to make these conditions even worse, as it prevented prisoners from staying in touch with their loved ones.
The decision to lift the ban on phone calls will allow prisoners to maintain contact with their families, which is essential for their mental and emotional well-being. It will also help to reduce the stress and isolation that prisoners often experience.
However, the Punjab government should not stop here. There are many other reforms that need to be made to the prison system in Pakistan. For example, the government should improve the quality of food and healthcare that is provided to prisoners. They should also ensure that prisoners have access to education and vocational training.
In addition to the above, some other reforms that could be made to the prison system in Pakistan: The government could establish a system of independent monitoring to ensure that prisoners are not being abused; the government could provide more opportunities for prisoners to participate in rehabilitation programs; the government could work to reduce the number of people who are incarcerated in the first place.