SHRC Underscores Need To Reform Juvenile, Women Prisons

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2025) The Chairman Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Iqbal Ahmed Detho has reaffirmed the commitment to make Special Prisons for Woman and Children in Hyderabad as model correctional facilities for reform and reintegration.The Chairman here on Saturday visited the prison accompanied by the officers of the district administration and members Prison Oversight Committee.Detho underscored the urgent need for integrated and rights-based institutional coordination while speaking during his visit to the Youthful Offenders Industrial school (YOIS) and Woman Prison.

He emphasized that those institutions should fulfill their core purpose of rehabilitation and prevention from commission of crimes again after release from the jails.He added that reintegrating young offenders in the community by equipping them with essential life skills, civic sense, vocational training, and foundational literacy and education was indispensable. The Chairman noted that, historically, reformatories and industrial schools served distinct functions with the former designed for juvenile offenders and the latter for destitute and neglected children."Today’s YOIS Should bridge these functions to create truly rehabilitative spaces," he said.

Meanwhile, during an interactive session the SHRC's Chairman met with all the 47 juvenile inmates and verified their history tickets at YOIS Hyderabad.The SHRC team also collected their applications for legal aid, transfer to other prisons, filling of applications for review of convictions and surety amount besides inspecting living facilities needs.They listened to the inmates' aspirations and assured them of the commission’s commitment to protect their rights and dignity. Detho urged the civil society organizations to step forward to ensure timely legal aid and to address essential needs such as appropriate clothing, hygiene supplies, and safe living conditions through the mechanism of Prison Oversight Committees.

According to him, such facilities were enshrined in the Sindh Prison and Correctional Facilities Act, 2019, and Rules, 2019. He observed that many of the inmates were under 15 years of age and, consequently, were punishable for less than 10 years. punishment are bailable offences at Police Station level under section 6(5) of Juvenile  Justice System Act 2018. Detho directed concerned authorities to arrange urgent legal support for all juvenile prisoners who were eligible for securing bail at the police station level as well as to write to concerned judicial authorities over such matters for assistance.He emphasized that YOIS and Woman Prison facilities should offer an environment that nurtured creativity, hope, and personal growth with access to art, music, books, vocational equipment, sports, and trained mentors. Detho suggested that those young individuals and women should be connected to STEVTA and other skill development programs.At the Women Jail the SHRC's team met with 83 women inmates and heard firsthand their issues particularly regarding access to legal aid and shifting of some inmates to the under construction Women and YOIS in Mirpurkhas district. The SHRC pledged to raise their concerns with the relevant authorities to ensure that women prisoners, too, have access to justice, protection, and humane living conditions. The Chairman SHRC asked the authorities to provide antenatal care to the three pregnant inmates as well as proper care and support for an elderly prisoner.Detho urged the management of YOIS and Women's Jails to transform those facilities into places of care, protection, learning and recovery, rather than operating the facilities as mere detention centers. He reiterated that a progressive correctional system should focus on reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration, upholding the fundamental rights of every individual in state custody.

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