Punjab Advances Prison Reforms, Launches Province-Wide Adult Literacy Program

Lahore: The Government of Punjab has made significant progress under its prison reform agenda by launching a comprehensive adult literacy program across all jails in the province, aiming to eliminate illiteracy among inmates.
As part of the initiative, literacy center classrooms have been inaugurated at District Jail Lahore. Rana Manan Khan, Chairman of the Task Force, and Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Secretary Home Punjab, visited the facility and interacted with teachers and inmates enrolled in the program.
Senior officials including Zainab Khan (Special Secretary Home), Mian Farooq Nazir (Inspector General Prisons), Roman Borana (Additional Secretary), Shahid Iqbal (DG Probation and Parole), Asim Javed (DG Literacy), Naveed Rauf (DIG), and Zaheer Warraich (Superintendent) were also present.
A total of 176 literacy centers have been established in 44 prisons across Punjab, with around 17,600 inmates currently receiving education at one time. Larger prisons will have up to 15 literacy centers, while smaller ones will have four.

Educated inmates have been assigned as teachers in these centers, and both teachers and students are eligible for sentence reductions as an incentive. The Literacy and Basic Education Department will also provide stipends to inmate teachers. Special uniforms have been introduced for participants in the program.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Manan Khan stated that prisons in Punjab are being transformed into true rehabilitation centers. He added that every inmate will undergo educational screening upon entry, and modern systems are being introduced to market products made in prison industries.
Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi noted that inmates released before completing their education will be supported in continuing their studies outside prison. He further announced that the adult literacy program will also be extended to 40,000 probationers across the province.
Officials emphasized that initiatives such as prison welfare stores, improved family visitation systems, and prison health programs are also being introduced. They believe that education and vocational training will help inmates reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.