The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has decided to introduce a Prison Management Information System (PMIS) application at the prisons in Punjab.
In the first phase, the app will be used in six jails in the province. This info comes from a PITB team’s presentation to Punjab’s Prisons Minister Zawar Hussain Waraich and Inspector General (IG) Prisons Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig.
The team apprised that the decision was in line with the government’s 100-day plan. The department has decided to expand it to six jails after the app’s successful run in its pilot phase.
Moreover, IG Prisons maintained that the prison records need to be updated to strengthen the criminal justice system. He said that the PMIS has been developed for this very purpose.
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PMIS Features
Some of the notable features of PMIS include a comprehensive online database of over 3000 inmates by employing an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS), planning and execution of measures taken in lieu of reforms, and the facilitation of the public via fast-track registration of interviews.
It also involves regulation and management of routine affairs pertaining to courts, and instant addressing of public grievance, maintenance of a detailed database of prison staff inclusive of their career profiles, bank accounts and data relevant to HR, salaries.
It will also keep track of the stock and inventory management including management and automation of the grain godowns, medicine and misc. stores, and automation of budgeting, financial transactions, and procurement processes.
Furthermore, PMIS is integrated with the MIS of Home Department, Lahore High Court, Punjab Police, and Anti-Corruption dept.
In the pilot project, information pertaining to 51,747 prisoners, 14,895 visitors, and 136 patients hospitalized in jail have been compiled.
Senior Police Officials Given 2 Weeks to Learn IT Sytems
Meanwhile, the Inspector general of Police (IGP) Punjab has directed senior police officials to learn how to operate the 17 IT software programs introduced in the department within two weeks.
He issued a directive to all divisional and district police officers while expressing his concern about the senior police officials displaying no interest in improving the service delivery by using the IT systems.
IGP maintained that the districts were not using the new IT systems, especially the police record management system, and the complaint management system.
He announced that a practical test will be conducted after two weeks regarding the said systems and those failing it will be removed from their post.
Via: Express Tribune, Dawn
