The Punjab government has decided to establish modern reformation centres for offenders in 10 districts of the province in an effort to ease growing pressure on prisons.
According to official documents, Offenders Reformation Centres will provide rehabilitation and supervision for around 50,000 probationers and parolees every year.
The initiative has aimed to reduce repeat offending through counselling, rehabilitation and skills development programmes.
Comprehensive programmes for psychological support, behavioural improvement and social rehabilitation will be introduced at the centres, the documents state.
The centres will be established in Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Jhang and Lodhran.
Additional centres will be set up in Okara, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura and Toba Tek Singh. The project is expected to cost Rs1.12 billion.
According to the documents, the scheme will promote a model focused on rehabilitation and social reintegration rather than punishment.
The performance of probation and parole services will also be improved through modern monitoring, data management and rehabilitation systems.
