PUNJAB: The Punjab Home Department has issued new rules and regulations for the punishment of prisoners who violate jail laws.
According to these newly established guidelines, prisoners will only be punished in accordance with the prescribed rules. The rules aim to ensure that any punishment given to a prisoner is fair, transparent, and based on merit.
To strengthen the accountability of jail officials, the powers of supervisors have been increased. Under the new system, no jail superintendent or any officer will be able to punish a prisoner without following the proper procedure. If a violation occurs, an inquiry will be conducted, and during the inquiry, the prisoner will have the chance to prove their innocence. The entire inquiry process will be documented and carried out in writing to ensure transparency.
The department further explained that jail superintendents will have the authority to recommend punishment after conducting a thorough inquiry, but they will have to notify the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the jail in writing before any punishment is imposed. The DIG has the authority to either uphold or cancel the punishment. Supervisors also have the power to review any punishment handed out at any time, ensuring that it is appropriate and justified.
An important aspect of the new rules is the handling of prisoners who may require special isolation for safety reasons. Under the new regulations, prisoners who are isolated for such reasons will not be placed in the punishment block, as doing so would strip them of their right to be pardoned in the future. These guidelines have been put in place to ensure that prisoners’ rights are respected and that jail regulations are enforced in a fair and just manner.
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