The Inspector General of Prisons Punjab Mian Farooq Nazeer has granted formal and informal education remission from 15 days up to 2 years to 561 convicts for successfully qualifying various exams, courses and memorising the Holy Quran by heart.
Senior Superintendent Central Jail Kotlakhpat Kamran Anjum told APP here on Sunday that a total of 4, 734 convicts undergoing various terms of sentences in various jails appeared in various examinations from primary to master and informal education of which 2, 977 could qualify.
And special education remission was granted to 561 convicts who are entitled under the Prisons Act.
He said that on the special directive of the IG, the services of highly qualified religious teachers have been acquired who teach the convicts daily and impart religious education to them in Dars-e-Nizami and Quran Nazra classes.
He said that a total of 3,505 prisoners are housed in jail against the sanctioned strength of only 1, 053 of which 849 convicts work daily in different sections of the factory. He said that 65 prisoner teachers are also contributing towards education of convicts.
He said that 307 skilled convicts are engaged in carpet manufacturing and 45 in roll making while 130 are learning the art of carpet weaving. He said that 116 convicts are involved in "Niwar" manufacturing and 8 in cone making process.
Kamran said that an educated convict who teaches other convicts and under trial prisoners in jail during his confinement gets 8 days special remission in a month. He said according to jail manual, only highly qualified convicts showing better behaviour and exhibiting excellent discipline are engaged for imparting basic teaching to illiterate convicts and under trial prisoners.
He said that those working in various sections of the jail factory are entitled to five days remission in a month and those working even on Sunday get six days. The convicts who perform duty at Roti plant secured seven days remission.
He said that one full-time Deputy Superintendent Jail, Assistant Superintendent Jail and one Chief Head Warder along with other force have been deployed in factory.
He said that output of each and every convict is monitored daily and any inmate showing zero performance is not entitled to remission. About the quality of food, he said that best hygienic food is being served to them with better quality of bread which he claimed is hundred percent better than open market.
He said on the special directive of prisons chief, healthy cows and chickens are slaughtered in jail premises under the supervision of jail doctor and on duty Assistant Superintendent Jail.