Inspector General of Prisons Punjab Mian Salik Jalal conducted an unannounced inspection of District Jail Lahore on Wednesday evening, leading to the immediate suspension of three officials for negligence and administrative lapses.
Security found satisfactory, but mess and kitchen fail standards
During the visit, the Inspector General reviewed external and internal security arrangements, which were deemed generally satisfactory, with personnel at checkpoints performing their duties professionally. However, serious shortcomings were identified in the warders' mess, including poor cleanliness, management, food quality, and basic facilities. Expressing strong displeasure, Jalal ordered immediate corrective measures and suspended Lines Officer and Assistant Superintendent Imdad Hussain, along with Warders' Mess In-charge Sajid Ali, for poor supervision and negligence.
Inmate feedback and hospital inspection
Jalal personally visited various barracks and spoke with inmates to gather feedback on food quality, medical care, educational opportunities, religious activities, and access to clean drinking water. At the jail hospital, medical staff were found on duty, and cleanliness, discipline, and healthcare services were declared satisfactory. However, the administration was instructed to install additional chilled water dispensers in Barracks 3 and 4 without delay to ensure an adequate supply of filtered cold water during summer.
Kitchen food fails standards; another suspension ordered
Inspecting the inmates' kitchen, the Inspector General found that prepared food did not meet required standards. He ordered the suspension of inmate kitchen in-charge Warder Jamshed and directed that a show-cause notice be issued to the concerned Assistant Superintendent to determine responsibility and ensure accountability.
Visitors complain of delays in release process
During a meeting with families of released prisoners at the waiting area, visitors expressed overall satisfaction with facilities but complained about delays in the release process. Jalal directed the Jail Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent (Judicial) to streamline and expedite all release procedures, making them more transparent and efficient to prevent unnecessary public inconvenience.
Prisons chief vows no compromise on standards
Concluding the visit, Mian Salik Jalal emphasized that providing quality food, a clean environment, decent accommodation, and essential facilities to staff and inmates remains the Punjab Prisons Department's top priority. He instructed prison authorities to immediately improve food quality, maintain high cleanliness standards, strengthen healthcare services, and ensure transparency and accountability in all administrative affairs. Reaffirming the department's commitment, he stated there would be no compromise on security, discipline, transparency, prisoner rehabilitation, protection of human dignity, or staff welfare. He added that surprise inspections would continue, and strict departmental action would be taken against any officer or official found guilty of negligence, mismanagement, or compromising standards. He also directed all prison superintendents across Punjab to personally monitor food, accommodation, sanitation, medical care, and welfare arrangements, warning that any negligence or substandard management would not be tolerated.
