SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Ahmed Detho reaffirms to make Special Prisons for Woman & Children at Hyderabad as Model correctional facilities for Reform and Reintegration.
Sidra Arif
Hyderabad
The Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) alongside District administration and members Prison oversight committee visited the premises. Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho, underscored the urgent need for integrated, rights-based institutional coordination during his visit to the Youthful Offenders Industrial School (YOIS) and Woman Prison in Hyderabad.
Speaking during his visit, Mr. Detho emphasized that these institutions must fulfill their core purpose of rehabilitation and prevention from re-offending and later reintegrating in the community of young offenders into society by equipping them with essential life skills, civic sense, vocational training, and foundational literacy and education. He noted that, historically, reformatories and industrial schools served distinct functions, the former designed for juvenile offenders and the latter for destitute and neglected children, yet today’s YOIS must bridge these functions to create truly rehabilitative spaces.
During an interactive session, the SHRC Chairperson met all 47 juvenile inmates and verified history tickets at YOIS Hyderabad.SHRC team took applications for legal aid, transfer to other prisons, filling of applications for review of convictions and surety amount and inspected living facilities needs, and listened inmates aspirations, and assured them of the Commission’s commitment to protect their rights and dignity . He urged civil society organizations to step forward to ensure timely legal aid and to address essential needs such as appropriate clothing, hygiene supplies, and safe living conditions through mechanism of Prison Oversight Committees given in the SIndh Prison& Correctional facilities Act 2019 & Rules 2019. Knowing that many of the inmates are under 15 years of age and punishable less than 10 years punishment are bailable offences at Police Station level under section 6(5) of Juvenile Justice System Act 2018. Mr. Detho immediately directed concerned authorities to arrange urgent legal support for all eligible juveniles and write to concerned judicial authorities.
SHRC stressed that beyond legal aid, YOIS and Woman Prison facilities must offer an environment that nurtures creativity, hope, and personal growth with access to art, music, books, vocational equipment, sports, and trained mentors to guide these young individuals and woman towards a productive future by linking with STEVTA and other skill development programs.
In parallel, SHRC team also visited the Women’s Jail in Hyderabad to meet with 83 women inmates and hear firsthand the issues they face, particularly regarding access to legal aid and shifting of some inmates to Mirpurkhas under construction Woman & YOIS . SHRC pledged to raise these concerns with the relevant authorities to ensure that women prisoners, too, have access to justice, protection, and humane living conditions. Upon noticing one elderly and three pregnant inmates, Mr. Detho issued directions for their proper attention, including antenatal care.
Highlighting the observations from both visits, Mr. Detho urged the management of YOIS and Women's Jails in Sindh to transform these facilities into places of care , protection, learning, and recovery, rather than mere detention centers. He reiterated that a progressive correctional system must focus on reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration, upholding the fundamental rights of every individual in state custody.
The SHRC Chairperson was accompanied by a Judicial Member, SHRC, Rtd. District & Session Judge , Meer Safdar Talpur and Assistant Commissioner Hyderabad city Mr.Baber Ali , representatives from civil society organizations SPARC, LAS working for prisoners’ rights and juvenile justice. The SHRC reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening such institutions and to advocate for reforms that align with human rights principles and national and international legal obligations, including the Mandela Principles of treatment of Prisoners , Beijing Principles relating ton juvenile, Bangkok Rules relating to Woman inmates.
