BAHAWALPUR: The district administration has initiated a project aimed to transform the lives of young inmates of the Borstal Institute Bahawalpur, to reform juvenile prisoners and make them useful and meaningfully employed members of society after they complete their sentences.

The project titled ‘From borstal jail to boarding school’ has been launched with a view to convert jail into a welfare centre for the incarcerated youngsters, so that they could contribute meaningfully to society after they complete their sentences and enable them to earn livelihood for themselves and their families.

For this purpose, on the directive of Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa, the jail officials have prepared a comprehensive time-table to keep the young inmates busy throughout the day and impart them training in different trades like information technology (computer skills), electricians, carpet weaving, welding etc.

According to the jail officials, the inmates have to wake up early in the morning to offer Fajr prayers, followed by recitation of the Holy Quarn. Afterwards, they are led to the jail’s ground for physical training (PT), for which they have been provided uniforms. After the breakfast, the inmates attend classes of their respective courses, while the trained ones go to their respective sections and workshops, where they remain busy till Zohar prayers. They have their lunch, and in the evening they play indoor games like table tennis and carom board etc.

Jail Superintendent Syed Babar Ali claims that under the instructions of district administration, the inmates are provided different facilities and a conducive environment for their studies and skills training inside the institution, which is more like a boarding house.

Borstal School Principal Khurram Raza says that these young inmates attended primary to bachelors classes, where teachers also focus on their character-building, along with education. Physical Trainer Tahir Shah says that special attention is being paid to the inmates’ health through regular drill and different exercises in the jail’s ground.

Dr. Zeeshan, a psychologist at the institute, says providing counseling services to the inmates is an important part of his job. He says that besides helping them resolve their psychological issues, the inmates are provided ample opportunities to express their inner feelings. He says that most of the inmates regret their crimes and intend tolead a simple and peaceful life as useful members of society after leaving the borstal.

Talking to Dawn, a number of inmates expressed satisfaction over the changes introduced in the facility under the project, especially the facilities of education and skills training, hoping it would positively impact their lives as free persons.

The DC says the Punjab government has allocated Rs30 million to construct a hostel and a multi-purpose hall for recreational activities of the inmates.

He hopes the borstal institution will serve as a complete boarding house and reformation centre for the inmates in the near future and play an important role in their training and character building.He says that the project aims to make them functional members of society who won’t be a burden on their families.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024