LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced special measures to safeguard prisoners from the intense heatwave and increasing humidity affecting the province.
According to official sources, the next few days are expected to bring intense heat, which could lead to cases of heatstroke and other health issues in overcrowded prisons. In light of this, the Punjab Home Department has issued instructions to all jail authorities to ensure proper arrangements for the safety of inmates.
As per the notification, cold and clean drinking water must be available at all times in jails. Prisoners should be encouraged to stay in shaded areas, and every jail must establish a special “Heatstroke Room” equipped with ice boxes and sufficient ice. Jail kitchens should be made airy with the help of exhaust fans, and all existing fans must be kept in working condition.
Jail staff have also been asked to ensure that prisoners work only in shaded areas, whether in their barracks or prison factories. The jail hospitals must stock life-saving medicines and essential medical equipment to deal with heat-related emergencies. During work hours under the sun, prisoners should be provided with caps and umbrellas. Anyone showing signs of heatstroke must be shifted immediately to the designated Heatstroke Room.
According to the plan, prisoners will perform labor from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. They will then be given rest from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and work will resume from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Jail staff on duty will also be provided with caps, umbrellas, and cold water.
Watchtower and main wall duty points will be equipped with bracket fans, water coolers, ice, and drinking glasses. Additionally, prison staff and inmates in kitchens and other work areas will be provided with cold lassi (buttermilk), salt, ice, and water to prevent dehydration.
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There are a total of 43 jails in Punjab, including central jails, district jails, special jails, and facilities for women. As per the Punjab Prisons Department, these jails were built to accommodate around 32,000 inmates. However, the current prison population has crossed 50,000, leading to overcrowding and increasing challenges, especially during extreme weather conditions like heatwaves.
