LAHORE: The Punjab government is moving towards a technology-driven prison security system under its Rs5 billion Safe Jail Project, with Chinese experts proposing artificial intelligence (AI), smart communication facilities and advanced surveillance systems for prisons across the province.
The proposals were discussed during a meeting at the Punjab Home Department, chaired by Additional Secretary Prisons Roman Borana and attended by senior prison officials, project authorities and representatives involved in implementing the security programme.
Chinese experts presented plans for a Central Command and Control Centre aimed at strengthening monitoring and coordination across Punjab’s correctional facilities.
Among the proposed technologies is an AI-based content management system designed to enhance surveillance and help authorities identify unusual, prohibited or suspicious activities inside prisons.
Smart video-conferencing facilities are also being considered for the central command centre. The system is expected to improve communication between prisons and senior authorities while enabling more effective supervision of prison operations.
Officials also discussed installing panic buttons and public address systems in prisoners’ cells, barracks and other sensitive areas. These facilities are intended to help security personnel respond quickly to emergencies.
Under the Safe Jail Project, more than 12,000 modern surveillance cameras and other security equipment will be installed across prisons in Punjab.
The first phase will focus on upgrading security infrastructure at all 10 central prisons, District Jail Lahore and 10 command and control centres. The surveillance network will cover important areas including entry and exit points, administrative offices, barracks, boundary walls, jammer zones, kitchens, hospitals and libraries.
Officials said automated monitoring would help detect suspicious, prohibited or irregular activities and generate alerts for relevant authorities. This is expected to allow prison security personnel to respond more quickly when potential threats are identified.
Dedicated control rooms are also being established at prisons, the offices of regional DIGs of Prisons, the Inspector General of Prisons and the Punjab Home Department. The network is designed to provide centralised monitoring and give senior officials greater oversight of prison security and operations across the province.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs5 billion for the Safe Jail Project, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2027.
Officials described the initiative as an important step towards modernising prison security and introducing advanced surveillance and communication technology into Punjab’s correctional facilities.
Roman Borana said prison reforms remained among the provincial government’s key priorities. He added that, on the instructions of Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, progress on the Safe Jail Project was being monitored on a daily basis.
