Following the implementation of the Punjab Chief Minister’s Prison Reforms Agenda, a landmark decision has been taken to launch a comprehensive De-Radicalization Program for the rehabilitation of prisoners and elimination of violent behaviors for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
Under this initiative, De-Radicalization Centers will be established in all prisons across Punjab, where psychological assessment, counseling, and non-violent behavior training will be provided to both prisoners and prison staff.
A high-level meeting was held at the Home Department under the chairmanship of Secretary Home Punjab, Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, to review the development of a framework model for prisoner rehabilitation, prevention of violent behaviors, and de-radicalization in Punjab prisons.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General Prisons Punjab Mian Salik Jalal, Chief Coordination Officer COE-CVE Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Burana, Deputy Coordination Officer Dr. Ahmed Khawar Shehzad, Professor Dr. Ali Madeeh Hashmi (Department of Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University), Executive Director Punjab Institute of Mental Health Professor Ayesha Rasheed, Chief Psychologist Prisons Saadia Zafar, and AIG Judicial Dr. Qadeer Alam, along with other experts.
Experts from the National Institute of Psychology Islamabad, UNODC Islamabad, and Government College Women University Sialkot also participated through video link and provided briefings regarding international practices and psychological rehabilitation models.
During the meeting, it was decided that:
- De-Radicalization Centers will be established in all prisons of Punjab.
- Psychological assessments of prisoners and prison staff will be conducted to evaluate behaviors, attitudes, and mental well-being.
- Prisoners and staff will be provided training focused on non-violence, positive behavior transformation, and rehabilitation in accordance with national policies.
- Special counseling sessions will be arranged for prisoners involved in terrorism-related cases, those displaying violent behaviors, and repeat offenders.
- Violent-prone prisoners will be identified, and their families will also be involved in the rehabilitation process.
- Prisoners’ personalities, behaviors, and thought patterns will be analyzed to develop suitable treatment and rehabilitation plans.
For the pilot phase of the project, the following prisons have been selected:
- High Security Prison Sahiwal
- Camp Jail Lahore
- District Jail Sheikhupura
Under the program:
- Monthly progress reports of selected prisoners will be prepared.
- Counseling sessions will be completed before prisoners’ release.
- A specialized training manual will be developed for prison staff.
- A dedicated team comprising experts from the Punjab Prison Training College Sahiwal and psychologists will be formed.
Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi stated that this is the first project of its kind in Pakistan and will serve as a significant milestone in prisoner rehabilitation and elimination of violent behaviors.
He directed that special training models should be developed according to Pakistan’s religious, social, and cultural values. He further emphasized that the mental health and well-being of prison staff involved in rehabilitation efforts must also be ensured.
Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi added that the models developed in Punjab will serve as a reference and support system for other provinces in the future.