Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak inaugurated a high-security prison in Mardan, here on Wednesday. The foundation for the prison was laid by KP former Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti in 2009. Approximately Rs 1.75 billion had been spent on the construction of the prison. At least 3,500 prisoners among 250 extremely dangerous prisoners can be accommodated in this prison. The chief minister said on the occasion that there is only one high-security prison in the province with a capacity of 2,200 prisoners and others are regular jails.
"Prisoners from the Mardan District Jail would be transferred to the new prison in the next few days. Old prison would be converted into a family park," he added. Khattak said that there is no shortage of security personnel in the province. Separate barracks have been made in the lockup for as many as 250 militants at a time. Security cameras have been installed in the cells. The prison has 36 barracks.
At least 99 cells each have been reserved for juveniles and women prisoners. The jail also has a mosque and a hospital comprising 180 beds. The main control room of the jail is equipped with advanced gadgets and could only be opened with thumb impressions.