The Inspector General of Prisons of Punjab province has announced that CCTV cameras will be installed in all the prisons of the province for 24-hour surveillance of the barracks.
According to IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, ‘around 4500 cameras will be installed in barracks of prisons across Punjab including Lahore.’
He said that the installation of cameras will be completed in three phases. In the first phase, cameras will be installed in central and high security jails while one camera will be installed in each barrack for surveillance.
He said that this decision Prisoners have been done to improve their conservation and maintenance. However, legal experts are expressing reservations over this development.
According to Huma Nayab, advocate of Legal Aid Society, an organization that provides legal assistance to prisoners, ‘All citizens have equal rights in Article 18 of the Constitution. Prisoners or free citizens Privacy Every citizen has a fundamental right.
Cameras can be installed outside the barracks for security in prisons, but the installation of cameras inside the barracks is likely to violate the basic right of privacy of the prisoners.
He said that in the Prisons Act 1894 and 1900, the prisoners have been given the right to privacy.
Why cameras are needed in barracks?
IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir told reporters on Wednesday that ‘this initiative will enable better monitoring of the barracks and the movement of prisoners, time of transfer to hospital in case of illness and theft of goods in the barracks. Grievances will be controlled.
A summary for the installation of cameras has been sent to the government. After the approval of the summary, the tendering process will be initiated and then the implementation will begin.
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The spokesperson of the Punjab Prisons Department told Independent Urdu that the reasons for this have also been explained in the summary sent by the Prisons Department to the Punjab government, according to which any prisoner will get sick due to the installation of cameras in the barracks. In this case, the administration will know immediately.
“Similarly, if a prisoner tries to commit suicide, he can also be rescued immediately. In the barracks, there are complaints of drug buying and selling. Cameras will be used to monitor the buying and selling of drugs or the use of drugs.
Similarly, there are complaints of fighting. Through the video recording of the cameras, it will be possible to determine the responsible parties in such incidents. When the prisoners know that cameras are installed in the barracks, every prisoner will refrain from prohibited activities.’
Legal expert Faisal Bajwa, Advocate, while talking to Independent Urdu, said that just as common citizens have basic rights in the constitution, the constitution also guarantees the basic rights of prisoners.
“It is true that the prison authorities have to use modern technology to maintain the system, but the installation of cameras inside the barracks will destroy the privacy of the prisoners.”
According to Faisal Bajwa, ‘If this initiative of the prison authorities is challenged in the court on behalf of a prisoner, the court will also recognize the constitutional right of the prisoners taking into account the concerns of the prison administration.
“The prison administration can create a monitoring system outside the barracks as it wants, but after the prisoners go into the barracks, they will have to rely on the security outside.”
He further said: ‘It should also be seen that women are also incarcerated in prisons, so there should be no permission to install cameras in their barracks. The prisoners also have to change their clothes in the barracks, and there will be no sense of security in this regard, and the fear of disorder will increase.’
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#Punjab #Plan #install #cameras #prison #barracks #experts #protest
2024-09-14 00:43:09
How will the installation of CCTV cameras in Punjab prisons affect the privacy rights of prisoners?
Table of Contents
Punjab Prisons to Install CCTV Cameras for 24-Hour Surveillance: A Step Towards Enhanced Security or Infringement of Prisoner Rights?
In a bid to enhance security and monitoring in prisons, the Inspector General of Prisons of Punjab province has announced the installation of CCTV cameras in all prisons across the province. The decision, aimed at improving the conservation and maintenance of prisoners, has sparked debate among legal experts who argue that it may infringe upon the fundamental right to privacy of prisoners.
Installation of 4500 Cameras in Three Phases
According to IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, around 4500 cameras will be installed in barracks of prisons across Punjab, including Lahore, in three phases. The first phase will focus on central and high-security jails, with one camera installed in each barrack for surveillance. The move is expected to enhance monitoring of prisoner movement, facilitate timely medical assistance, and prevent theft and other grievances.
Legal Concerns: Prisoner Rights and Privacy
However, legal experts, including Huma Nayab of the Legal Aid Society, have expressed reservations about the installation of cameras inside barracks, citing concerns over prisoner privacy. According to Nayab, Article 18 of the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, including prisoners, who have a fundamental right to privacy. Installing cameras inside barracks may violate this basic right, as prisoners have the right to a private life, even in prison.
Cameras Outside Barracks: A Compromise?
Nayab suggests that cameras can be installed outside barracks for security purposes, but installing them inside may be considered an infringement of prisoner rights. Similarly, legal expert Faisal Bajwa, Advocate, argues that while prisoners have the right to privacy, the prison authorities can create a monitoring system outside the barracks to ensure security.
Benefits of CCTV Cameras in Prisons
Proponents of the decision argue that CCTV cameras will help prevent incidents of prisoner violence, drug abuse, and suicide attempts. The cameras will enable the administration to respond promptly to emergencies, such as medical issues or altercations among prisoners. Additionally, the presence of cameras will deter prisoners from engaging in prohibited activities.
Challenges and Concerns
While the installation of CCTV cameras may enhance security and monitoring, it also raises concerns about the privacy of female prisoners, who may be incarcerated in the same prisons. Legal experts argue that the prison administration must ensure that cameras are not installed in female barracks, as this would be a violation of their privacy.
Furthermore, the installation of cameras may also lead to legal challenges, with prisoners potentially taking the prison administration to court, arguing that their fundamental right to privacy has been infringed upon.
Conclusion
The installation of CCTV cameras in Punjab prisons is a complex issue, with both security and legal concerns at play. While the move aims to enhance security and monitoring, it is essential to balance this with the fundamental rights of prisoners, including their right to privacy. The prison administration must ensure that the installation of cameras is done in a way that respects prisoner rights and does not infringe upon their basic dignity.
Keyword: CCTV cameras in prisons, Punjab prisons, prisoner rights, privacy, security, surveillance, IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, Legal Aid Society, Huma Nayab, Faisal Bajwa.
– What are the expected benefits of installing CCTV cameras in Punjab prisons?
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Punjab Prisons to Install CCTV Cameras for 24-Hour Surveillance
In a bid to improve security and monitoring within the prison system, the Inspector General of Prisons of Punjab province has announced the installation of CCTV cameras in all prisons across the province. According to IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir, around 4500 cameras will be installed in barracks of prisons, including those in Lahore, to ensure 24-hour surveillance.
The installation of cameras will be completed in three phases, with the first phase focusing on central and high-security jails. One camera will be installed in each barrack for surveillance purposes. The IG Prisons claims that this move is aimed at improving the conservation and maintenance of prisoners.
However, legal experts have raised concerns over the invasion of privacy of prisoners. According to Huma Nayab, an advocate for the Legal Aid Society, an organization that provides legal assistance to prisoners, “All citizens have equal rights in Article 18 of the Constitution. Prisoners or free citizens have a fundamental right to privacy.” Nayab argues that while cameras can be installed outside the barracks for security reasons, installing them inside the barracks may violate the basic right of privacy of prisoners.
Why Cameras are Needed in Barracks?
IG Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir claims that the installation of cameras will enable better monitoring of the barracks and the movement of prisoners. This will help to control grievances, prevent theft of goods in the barracks, and ensure timely medical attention in case of illness. A summary has been sent to the government for approval, and the tendering process will begin once approved.
The spokesperson of the Punjab Prisons Department elaborated on the reasons behind the initiative, stating that cameras will help to identify and prevent instances of drug buying and selling, fighting, and suicide attempts within the barracks. The cameras will also provide video evidence to determine the responsible parties in such incidents.
Legal Concerns and Debate
Legal expert Faisal Bajwa, Advocate, notes that while prison authorities have the right to use modern technology to maintain the system, installing cameras inside the barracks will infringe upon the privacy of prisoners. Bajwa argues that the constitution guarantees the basic rights of prisoners, including the right to privacy.
Bajwa suggests that if the initiative is challenged in court on behalf of a prisoner, the court will likely recognize the constitutional right of prisoners, taking into account the concerns of the prison administration. He believes that the prison administration can create a monitoring system that balances security concerns with the rights of prisoners.
Conclusion
The installation of CCTV cameras in Punjab prisons has sparked a debate on the balance between security and privacy. While the move is intended to improve monitoring and maintenance, legal experts argue that it may infringe upon the basic rights of prisoners. As the implementation of this initiative moves forward, it is essential to consider the concerns of both parties and ensure that the rights of prisoners are protected.
Keywords: Punjab prisons, CCTV cameras, surveillance, privacy, security, prisoners’ rights, Inspector General of Prisons, Mian Farooq Nazir, Legal Aid Society, Huma Nayab, Faisal Bajwa, constitution, article 18.
