Islamabad(newsviews) A final draft of the Federal Prison and Correctional Facility Act, 2026, has been prepared and sent to the Ministry of Interior for approval before its introduction and implementation in the federal capital.

The proposed legislation seeks to provide a legal framework for prisons, the reformation of prisoners and their rehabilitation.

Officials familiar with the matter told Dawn that the Act was being drafted to provide for the establishment, management, safety and security of prisons, the care and custody of prisoners, their reformation and rehabilitation, and related matters. The final draft of the Federal Prison and Correctional Facility Act, 2026, was prepared by newly appointed Senior Superintendent of Prison Ali Akbar.

According to the proposed draft, the objectives of the Federal Prison System include contributing to the maintenance and protection of a just, peaceful and safe society by enforcing sentences awarded by courts, the Act and its regulations in the prescribed manner.

Proposed legislation provides for prisoners’ rights, welfare and rehabilitation

These objectives also include keeping prisoners in safe and secure custody, ensuring the implementation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution, relevant international conventions to which Pakistan is a party, and applicable laws, without compromising the objectives of punishment and correctional measures. The system also aims to promote prisoners’ welfare and rehabilitation and their reintegration into society as law-abiding citizens by adopting best practices.

Basic principles for dealing with prisoners include that every prisoner shall accept the authority of prison officers and obey their lawful instructions.

All prisoners shall be treated with due respect, recognising their inherent dignity and worth as human beings. All sentenced prisoners shall participate in the reformation process and ensure its implementation.

They may be offered incentives in the form of special remissions and monetary benefits, as may be prescribed. There shall be no discrimination on any basis except as provided under the law.

The government may declare any building, enclosure, land or premises to be a Federal Prison and Correctional Facility for the purposes of the Act.

The government may establish, alter, expand or relocate any prison; specify its classification or category; declare that any prison shall cease to function as a prison from a specified date; and direct the removal and transfer of prisoners to another prison specified in the notification.

It may also declare any place to be a subsidiary or temporary prison for the reception or detention of prisoners. Every prison declared under the Act shall be subject to the administrative control and management of the Inspector General.

A Prison Management Board, headed by the chief commissioner and comprising other members, shall be established.

The board shall make recommendations for the efficient and transparent management of prisons to ensure the highest level of public service for prisoners.

It shall also establish an Oversight Committee for prisoners’ welfare, philanthropic initiatives, rehabilitation programmes, monitoring of prison administration or any other related purpose.

Prison officers shall be provided with weapons, uniforms, equipment and other accoutrements.

As per the draft, a prison officer found guilty of misconduct shall be liable to the prescribed penalty following disciplinary proceedings. The officer shall have at least one right of appeal.

Every prisoner shall remain in the lawful custody of a prison officer during the period of imprisonment and shall comply with prison discipline, the Act and the rules. Prisoners shall be informed of their duties, rights and obligations, which may also be published. They shall also undergo medical and psychological examinations as prescribed under the rules.

Prisoners shall be allowed to lodge complaints freely, and a mechanism based on modern standards shall be established to address them. Technologies shall also be adopted and integrated to enhance operational efficiency, accountability, security and discipline within the prison system.

Prisoners may personally send and receive letters and make or receive audio and video calls through facilities provided in the prison. Relatives, friends or persons providing legal assistance may visit prisoners.

They may also receive their spouses for the exercise of conjugal rights. All correspondence, communications and visits shall be supervised by a prison officer, as may be prescribed.

The SSP may initiate necessary action against a prisoner found involved in a breach of discipline or a criminal offence under any law.