Punjab probation and parole officers complete US training

By Muhammad Hussain 

Lahore: In a significant step towards developing a modern probation and parole system in Punjab, promoting the rehabilitation of offenders and enabling their reintegration as productive members of society, 16 senior officers of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service (PP&PS) have successfully completed a specialised training programme in the United States.

Following the completion of the training, the officers visited the Punjab Home Department and met Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, where they presented a report on the training programme. The Secretary Home congratulated the officers on successfully completing the programme.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was conducted in the US state of Virginia in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), with the support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State. The Punjab Probation and Parole Service delegation was led by Director General Muhammad Shahid Iqbal.

During the programme, the leadership of the Virginia Department of Corrections appreciated Punjab’s progressive and reform-oriented model of offender rehabilitation. The training highlighted the guiding philosophy of “Rehabilitate, Reform and Reintegrate” and provided participants with exposure to modern, evidence-based approaches to probation and parole supervision.

The officers also received training in electronic monitoring, GPS supervision and technology-driven offender management systems. Special emphasis was placed on modern methods for supervising high-risk offenders and individuals associated with gangs.

During the programme, each PP&PS officer also presented an individual action plan outlining reforms that could be adapted and implemented in Punjab. Addressing the meeting, Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi said that Punjab’s probation and parole system is being aligned with international standards.

He said that the officers who travelled to the United States were not merely trainees but also ambassadors of Pakistan. He directed the officers designated as Master Trainers to immediately prepare training presentations and modules and ensure the transfer of their knowledge and training material to other officers across Punjab.

Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi further directed that the US-trained officers should also be assigned supervisory responsibilities in other districts to ensure that the knowledge and experience gained through the training programme benefit the maximum number of officers. He said that the training visit would also help further strengthen and modernise the Punjab Probation and Parole Service’s Offender Management Information System (OMIS).

He added that a mobile application would also be introduced to ensure more effective monitoring and supervision of individuals released on probation. Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Director General Probation and Parole Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana and Dr. Ali Madeeh Hashmi attended the meeting. Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal and AIG Judicial Dr. Qadeer Alam participated in the meeting online.