Punjab Home Department introduces community service model for probationers

The Punjab Home Department has introduced a community service model for probationers, aiming to rehabilitate over 37,000 people across the province. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, these probationers, considered accidental offenders, are released on probation instead of serving a sentence in prison. 

The Punjab Cabinet has approved amendments to the Probation of Offenders Ordinance 1960, aligning the initiative with international models.

Under this model, probationers will be assigned specific community service duties as directed by the courts, with each task and its duration outlined in the court orders.

The probationers will be placed under the supervision of the respective Deputy Commissioners, who will ensure that they fulfil their community service duties as per the judicial mandate.

Educated probationers will be engaged in teaching, while those with technical skills will contribute according to their expertise. Unskilled probationers are proposed to be involved in activities such as tree plantations and cleanliness drives. 

Officers of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service will compile monthly reports on all probationers and assist the courts in assigning appropriate community service based on the offender's profile.

The proposed community service model is expected to transform probationers into productive members of society while saving the Punjab government millions of rupees annually.

However, probationers who fail to reform or commit new crimes will have their probation revoked and be sent to jail.

Reporter: Qaiser Khokhar