RAWALPINDI, June 2: The Punjab government is planning to build two separate prisons for juveniles and women near Adiala Jail at a cost of Rs289 million.

Official sources told Dawn that out of the total project cost, Rs41 million had been approved for acquisition of the land. Nearly 88 acres (800 kanals) was acquired in June 2005 for the construction of two separate district jails.

However, the sources said, planners were already fearing that the project cost would have to be revised and it might go up to Rs350 million.

The sources said the construction plan was yet to be chalked out.

They said two new jails would help the government reduce overcrowding in the existing jail at Adiala.

Deputy Inspector General of prisons (Punjab) Abdul Sattar Aajiz, when contacted, said construction work on the two proposed jails would start after the plan was approved.

The DIG said each jail would have the capacity to accommodate 500 prisoners. Jail superintendent for the women prison would be a female, while a male superintendent and security staff would guard the juvenile jail.

The decision to build separate jails for women and juveniles was taken as the existing Adiala Jail had become overcrowded.

At present, there is room for 18,000 prisoners in the 30 jails of the Punjab, whereas nearly 50,000 prisoners (convicted and under-trial) are being kept in the jails of the province. Due to shortage of space, prisoners including women face problems in the barracks.

Out of the 30 jails, there are seven central jails, two for juveniles and one for women in the province.