National Conference on Prison Reform in Pakistan Highlights Overcrowding and Institutional Failures
The National Conference on Prison Reform, convened by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee in Pakistan, has brought attention to the severe overcrowding in the country's prisons. With 113,214 inmates housed against a capacity of 68,828, the occupancy rate stands at 164%. The conference resulted in the Islamabad Declaration on Prison Reform, which was endorsed by the Chief Ministers of all four provinces. This declaration elevates prison reform to a national governance priority, focusing on reducing unnecessary incarceration, strengthening rehabilitation, and expanding alternatives to imprisonment. The conference emphasized the interconnectedness of the justice system, highlighting that inefficiencies in investigation, prosecution, and legal aid contribute significantly to the overcrowding issue. 
