Punjab Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Raja Basharat has said that it has been decided to bring comprehensive reforms for the betterment of Punjab's jails and prisoners.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting here on Friday. The meeting was briefed by officials of the home department, prisons department and law department. Raja Basharat stressed that the prison reform programme should be completed as per the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister and added that the main purpose of the new reforms was to make prisoners responsible citizens by reshaping their character.

"The establishment of an independent department for parole service is an important step of the PTI government, which will facilitate the work of parole and eliminate the existing complications," he added.

Earlier in the departmental briefing, it was informed that the amended draft of the Prisons Act 1894 would be prepared by May 12, while the notification of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service Act, 2019 has been issued. Moreover, the Punjab Chief Minister has approved the Parole Board and the nomination process of the board members is underway.