The Punjab Prisons Department has submitted a report to the Lahore High Court revealing widespread drug use among inmates in the province’s jails.
The report showed that out of 10,166 drug tests conducted in 2025, 3,873 prisoners tested positive for narcotics, while 6,293 tested negative.
Following the Lahore High Court’s directives, a formal screening system has been implemented to identify drug-dependent inmates, and separate blocks have been established in each jail for prisoners struggling with substance abuse.
To prevent drug smuggling within prisons, the department has also announced plans to install body scanners.
The report also recommended assigning responsibility for the social rehabilitation of addicted prisoners to the Health and Social Welfare Departments.
The document further disclosed that 72 percent of inmates in Punjab’s prisons are under trial.
The total prison population across the province stands at 70,739, with an average of 7,500 prisoners produced in courts daily.
Source: Dunya News
