Inmates at the prisons in Mianwali and Jhang have full access to drugs, allegedly due to the active collusion of prison guards, according to documents and videos obtained by Samaa TV.
A report prepared by the Medical Officer of Mianwali Jail noted that “due to aggressive behaviour, foul language, and clear signs of paranoia, there was strong suspicion of active drug use among inmates.”
The report further states that, in consultation with the relevant Superintendent, it was decided to carry out a prison-wide drug screening. According to the screening results, a total of 423 inmates tested positive for drug use. Of these, 273 were under trial, while 150 were convicted prisoners.
The revelations do not stop there. According to the report, a wide variety of drugs is readily available in these prisons. Among the addicts, 96 were found using cannabis, 231 methamphetamine (commonly known as 'ice'), 43 heroin in pill form, 15 were dependent on sleeping pills, and one was addicted to cocaine. In some of the video footage, inmates can be seen using drugs within the prison premises.
Former inmate Aziz Khan, who was recently released, made serious allegations in a video message. He claimed, “Drugs are more easily available inside Jhang Jail than they are on the outside. Drug-dealing prisoners pay the prison administration Rs. 400,000 a month to continue their illegal trade.”
He said that “young and underage prisoners are at the mercy of the prison authorities, as they are subjected to sexual harassment by powerful inmates.” According to him, “influential and wealthy prisoners can pay between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 to the prison administration to transfer a detainee from Cell 9 into their own barracks.”
Aziz Khan has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the dire situation.
On the other hand, when Samaa contacted Superintendent Jail Mianwali, Farukh Rasheed, he claimed that the Medical Officer’s report is biased and “not based on factual evidence.” He explained that the issue primarily stems from a disagreement over the attendance protocols for doctors within the prison system.
He added, “We have taken disciplinary action against five lower-level staff members found involved in facilitating drug access inside the prison.” The Superintendent concluded by saying that security and surveillance have been enhanced, although some prisoners’ families still manage to smuggle drugs into the facility.
