PROBATION, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS: CASE OF PUNJAB PROVINCE, PAKISTAN

Probation is an important and integral organ of criminal justice for the purpose of offenders’ rehabilitation as an alternative to imprisonment. This study was conducted to explore the role of probation in criminal justice in Punjab province, Pakistan. Survey method was employed by using structured questionnaire through which the relevant quantitative data was obtained from the probationers (respondents of the study). 10 districts of Punjab province out of total 36, were selected randomly. Furthermore, a sample of 511 probationers (respondents) was finalized by applying proportionate sampling method to include all selected districts in the study, among them (n=276 spent some time in jail and now were on probation; the remaining n=235 had only the experience of probation). The results showed that the environment of jail that included quality of food, education for behavioral change, medical facilities, and violence by jail officials on inmates was not conducive for the rehabilitation of those offenders who were convicted for minor offenses and jailed for few months. Therefore, probation was found helpful for rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society. It is suggested that role of probation in the criminal justice system can be enhanced by granting the probation order to those offenders, who are incarcerated in prisons as under trial in minor offenses, to reduce prison overcrowding and for better rehabilitation of offenders in the community setting