Training of Trainers (Prison Paralegals)

In light of latest changes to the main statute and secondary legislation, the paralegal manuals were revised accordingly with which arose the need to train the paralegal staff on revised topics which include i.e., Constitution, basic fundamental rights, stages of criminal trial, probation & parole, general prison rules, women inheritance laws & gender sensitization. Keeping this in mind, the Committee for the Welfare of Prisoners arranged a Training of Trainers in three batches at three Central Prisons (Central Prison Karachi, Central Prison Hyderabad and Central Prison Sukkur).

Central Prison Karachi:

Training of Trainers in Central Prison Karachi was conducted by Ms. Angbeen Mirza from 29^th to 31^st July 2021. The session included different methodologies like group work, role plays and demonstrations to enhance the capacity of the participants. At the end of training, participants were enriched with knowledge about latest developments in the laws and regulations which can now be transferred to the newly enrolled prisoners.

A total of seventeen (17) new and old prison paralegals were trained during this training.

Central Prison Hyderabad:

Training of Trainers in Central Prison Hyderabad was organized from 28^th to 30^th December 2021. The training was facilitated by the Committee’s senior staff including Ms. Sana Qureshi- Program Manager, Mr. Habib-ur-Rehman Jiskani- Manager Litigation and M&E, Mr. Abdullah Soomro- Section Head, Hyderabad, Ms. Noreen Shaikh- Litigation Advocate and Mr. Toseef Ahmed Chandio- Litigation Advocate.

Seventeen (17) new prison paralegals were trained during this training.

Central Prison Sukkur:

Training of Trainers was organized in Central Prison Sukkur facilitated by the Committee’s senior staff including Ms. Sana Qureshi – Program Manager, Mr. Habib-ur- Rehman Jiskani – Manager Litigation and M&E, Mr. Syed Ahmar Shah – Section Head Sukkur, Mr. Muhammad Younis – Litigation Advocate and Mr. Amjad Gabol – Litigation Advocate.

Nineteen (19) inmates were trained on different topics pertaining to basic laws including criminal law, prison rules, fundamental rights, criminal trial process, and other relevant civil laws such as property law and family law. These trained convicts will act as a channel to disseminate the information received among the new inmates during weekly paralegal classes.

The main goal of a juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment for juvenile criminal behavior: to avoid the stigmatization resulting from a criminal conviction and the phenomenon of reoffending. CWP-LAO is working to create awareness about the plight and needs of children in conflict with the law, about Pakistan’s juvenile justice system and about international guidelines and agreements concerning juvenile justice. We train relevant authorities about their responsibilities under the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 and about child rights. We also work to improve conditions in the juvenile sections of Prisons and to secure the release of as many children as possible.