140 children living in Punjab jails with mothers | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- 140 children under six are living in Punjab prisons because their mothers are inmates.
- Adiala Jail and Multan Women's Jail house the highest number of these children.
- Inmates claim life is bleak, citing poor conditions and irregular educational support.
- Prison authorities state they provide legally mandated care, including food and healthcare.
- Child rights activists warn of severe, lasting psychological trauma, especially upon mandatory separation at age six.
At least 140 children under six years old are currently residing in 45 Punjab prisons because their mothers are serving sentences, according to data from The Express Tribune and the Punjab Home Department. Inmates shared harrowing personal stories, detailing how circumstances like domestic abuse or false accusations led to their incarceration, forcing them to raise their children behind bars. While prison staff provide basic food and limited education, inmates allege children are sometimes forced into menial tasks and that learning resources are irregular. Prison authorities defend their arrangements, stating they provide healthcare and education as legally required for children under five who are permitted to stay with their mothers. However, child welfare experts emphasize the profound psychological damage inflicted by prison life, noting issues like delayed development and attachment disorders, culminating in severe trauma upon mandatory separation at age six.
