The Punjab government has launched a new online prison monitoring portal and Executive Monitoring Dashboard to strengthen inspections, improve administrative oversight and enhance transparency across jails in the province.
The system has been introduced as part of the Punjab chief minister’s prison reform agenda and is designed to replace conventional inspection and monitoring procedures with a technology-based system.
Secretary Home Punjab Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi reviewed the newly developed prison inspection and monitoring portal and directed the Directorate of Monitoring and senior prison officials to conduct inspections through the online system.
Real-Time Prison Monitoring
The Executive Monitoring Dashboard provides real-time information on key aspects of prison administration, security and compliance.
Officials said the system contains detailed information about every prison in Punjab, including:
- Authorised prison capacity
- Current inmate population
- Daily prisoner admissions
- Daily prisoner releases
- Prison security and administration
- Compliance with prison laws and regulations
The dashboard also provides individual prisoner information, including age, educational qualifications, health status and their capacity and aptitude for acquiring vocational skills.
Dr Qazi also reviewed inspection reports from prisons across Punjab through the Executive Monitoring Dashboard.
He appreciated the Punjab Prisons Department and Punjab Prisons Foundation for developing the digital monitoring system and directed officials to make greater use of modern technology during prison inspections.
Digital Prison Welfare Stores
The Home secretary also reviewed the online portal for the Chief Minister Punjab Prison Welfare Stores, which allows authorities to monitor prisoners’ purchasing patterns.
Officials said inmates at jails across Punjab can now purchase 74 essential items transparently from within prison premises. The online system records details of purchases, including the items bought and their prices.
The digital record is intended to improve transparency in the distribution and sale of essential goods inside prisons.
Focus on Accountability and Rehabilitation
Dr Qazi said the provincial government is working to transform Punjab’s prisons into model correctional and rehabilitation centres.
He said the Punjab Prisons Department would be developed as a model of excellence and best practices for the region, while an internal accountability mechanism is also being strengthened.
The Home Department, he added, is following a zero-tolerance policy toward inefficiency and corruption.
As part of efforts to improve public access and complaint resolution, contact numbers for the Secretary Home and Inspector General of Prisons have been displayed outside prisons across Punjab. Citizens can use the numbers to contact the relevant authorities and seek prompt redressal of complaints.
Dr Qazi said integrating prison inspections and monitoring with modern technology would help improve transparency, oversight and accountability across the provincial prison system.
The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, Director General Directorate of Monitoring Athar Masood, Additional Secretary Prisons Rooman Burana, Additional DG Punjab Forensic Science Authority Imran Ali, DIG Prisons Naveed Rauf and other senior officials.
