Policy Brief 29/04/2024
Pakistan’s prison system, established under the Pakistan Prison Rules (PPR) of 1978, purports to uphold basic human rights and promote prisoner rehabilitation. However, a significant disparity exists between the codified regulations and their real-world implementation, exposing underlying flaws within the broader criminal justice system. The PPR itself demonstrates shortcomings, failing to adequately address mental health needs, ensuring protection of foreign nationals incarcerated in Pakistan, and transparency in medical care. Furthermore, the PPR offers inadequate support for the specific requirements of pregnant and disabled inmates. These limitations undermine the rights of prisoners and expose the discrepancies between Pakistan’s criminal justice ideals and their practical application.
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