NCJ Number
45324
Date Published
1977
Length
19 pages
Annotation
CRIME AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM IN PAKISTAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES IS DISCUSSED, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS IN PAKISTAN IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PENAL SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN IS SAID TO RELY HEAVILY ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE REFORMATION OF OFFENDERS. STEPS ARE TAKEN TO SEE THAT INMATES MAINTAIN FAMILY TIES WHILE THEY ARE IN PRISON. LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS THAT CAN VISIT AN INMATE AT ONE TIME HAVE BEEN LIFTED. THE PUNJAB PRISONER AID SOCIETY, A VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCY, CONTRIBUTES TO THE REHABILITATION OF IMPRISONED OFFENDERS. THE SOCIETY IS FUNDED THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY VISITORS TO THE PRISONS. GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED 'NONOFFICIAL VISITOR COMMITTEES' ASSESS JAIL AND PRISON CONDITIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO DEAL WITH GRIEVANCES FROM INMATES. SPIRITUAL LEADERS FROM THE COMMUNITY ARE ENCOURAGED TO COUNSEL INMATES, AND INMATES RECEIVE SENTENCE REDUCTIONS AS A REWARD FOR PROFICIENCY IN RECITING FROM THE KORAN. PRIVATE INDUSTRY HAS PROVIDED MACHINERY AND OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN PRISON VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE INVITED TO ENGAGE IN ATHLETIC CONTESTS WITH INMATES. COMMUNITY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN ASPECTS OF PROBATION AND PAROLE IN PAKISTAN. SUGGESTIONS FOR BROADENING THE SCOPE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CORRECTIONS IN PAKISTAN ARE OFFERED. (LM)