PITB’s Prison Management System Launched as Pilot Project in Lahore

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has launched the first ever pilot project for a “Prison Management Information System” (PMIS) at District Jail Lahore to automate the jail records and improvement the management of inmates’ information.

Reviewing the project, Chairman PITB and Advisor to the CM Punjab, Dr. Umar Saif directed to make innovative improvements to get effective results from the project for speedy launch in all jails of Punjab Province and to efficiently control and manage the jail affairs. He wants the project to help in instant decision making and planning.

Digitization of Prison Management would also facilitate visitors/public by way fast-track registration of interviews and instant resolution of public grievances, he remarked.

The Chairman was informed that the automation using the Computerization of Prisons management system not only enhances the performance but also precision and time management process for a comprehensive database of the staff – including their career profiles, their salary and accounts management besides capturing other issues relating to HR.

Through the PMIS, information of 51,747 prisoners, 14,895 visitors and 136 patients hospitalized in the jail has been gathered, the review meeting was apprised.

Prior to PMIS, there was no IT solution regarding management of inmates’ detailed information including prisoner admission, check-in/out, finger/palm print verification, court productions, jail transfers, medical treatment, parole, crime details, court decision, prisoner history etc.

The need of this project is inevitable for a comprehensive Criminal Justice System. Following its successful operation, the PMIS would be replicated at other jails of the province to convert the existing manual systems into automated ones.

The salient features of the project include:

• Developing database of an average number of 3000+ inmates by using Automated Finger/Palm Print Identification system (AFIS),
• Planning and execution of reformatory measures, regulating court production and management of day to day affairs relating to courts,
• Facilitating the visitors/public by way fast-track registration of interviews and public grievance resolution,
• Maintaining a comprehensive database of the staff,
• Stock and inventory management which includes management and automation of the grain go-downs,
• Medicine stores in the jail hospital and other miscellaneous stores and automation of budgeting,
• Procurement processes and financial transactions

PMIS is integrated with the MIS of Home Department, Punjab Police, Lahore High Court and Anti-Corruption as well.