Khairpur Jail has 744 and the Ghotki Jail holds 294 under-trial inmates without legal assistance – SHRC
Khairpur | Ghotki, Sindh
The Inspection visit of Central Prison & Correctional Facility Khairpur and District Jail Ghotki by Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) officials revealed that majority of inmates are under-trial prisoners languishing there without any legal assistance.
The SHRC in a press release said that its delegation, led by Board-Member Sukhdev Assradas Hemnani along with legal team, visited the Central Prison and Correctional Facility Khairpur and District Jail Ghotki on October 15 and 16, 2024 respectively to assess the living conditions of inmates and overall facilities in the prisons.
Khairpur facility, with the total authorized capacity of 1175 inmates, currently holds 1065 inmates with 744 being under-trail prisoners, one foreigner and 321 convicts while the Ghotki facility is currently holding 294 inmates under-trial inmates against the authorized capacity of total 250 inmates.
Read: Sindh’s 23 prisons have 18440 inmates
Taking cognizance of the need for legal assistance, the SHRC provided advocates/legal assistance to under trial prisoners who could not afford legal representation owing to their financial condition in both Khairpur and Ghotki facilities. Furthermore, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani ordered the Superintendent/ In-charge of both facilities to immediately process transfer applications of convicts who requested for transfer/shifting to other facilities on humanitarians and medical grounds during the inspection visit.
Taking notice of the frequent load-shedding of electricity and gas for 8-10 hours at night, deplorable conditions of the washrooms and absence of online hearing/trial facility for under trial inmates at District Prison & Correction Facility Ghotki, Hemnani said the Commission would write to the appropriate authorities for immediate redressal of these issues as this directly violates the fundamental rights and welfare of the inmates.
Separately, Hemnani also presided over meetings with district administration and government officials of both Khairpur and Ghotki districts to devise a strategy for addressing the issue of lack of implementation of Sindh Hindus Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2018 in these districts. (PR)
Read: Sindh to Introduce Video Link System in Prisons
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