Socio-Economic & Rehabilitation Center (SERC) for Women and Juvenile Prisoners

Women and juvenile prisoners in jail face a variety of socio-economic problems besides emotional disturbances and psychological effects. There are under trial women and children, most of the women are accompanied by their minor children. The basic facilities related to legal help, health, education and recreation are not available to them. On the other hand the families of prisoners suffer financially, morally, emotionally and socially.

Keeping in view above said points, the Social Welfare Department has taken concrete steps for women prisoners and juveniles in order to save them from these circumstances and to make them responsible citizens. The Department in collaboration with the Home Department established 10 Socio-Economic & Rehabilitation Centers for women prisoners and juveniles in year 2003-04 in the districts of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Jhang and Sargodha. Based on the results and importance of these 10 centers, in the year 2004-05, Department revamped and extended the scheme and established 10 new centers in eight more districts of Sialkot, Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, Jehlum, Attock, Lahore and one project each in Brostal jails of Faisalabad and Bahawalpur.

Eligibility Criteria

Women and juvenile prisoners in jails can avail the following mentioned facilities.

Facilities

Following facilities are provides t the women prisoner in jail:

• Conducive atmosphere to the convicted women
• Proper religious education and Adult education in collaboration with prisoner’s authorities
• Vocational training and technical education to women prisoners during their stay in jails to enable them earn for themselves and their families thus, ensuring their participation in healthy economic activities
• The opportunity of group discussions, speeches, seminars about eradication of drug addiction and other social evils
• Recreational Activities
• Medico-legal aid to deserving prisoners in jails
• Rehabilitative services for prisoners i.e. financial assistance, knowhow and equipment to the destitute and deserving released prisoners through various sources i.e. Zakat fund, Bait-ul-Maal and NGOs etc.
• Social counseling and guidance to the prisoners’ families through case work techniques in order to keep them away from crimes and to enable them to join healthy activities