It is a harsh reality where a child is treated like a criminal even before they are old enough to understand the world. So, whose fault is it?

 

Small prison cells, lack of proper food, no access to education or healthcare and the harsh prison life harm these children’s mental and physical growth.

 

Unlike other children, they cannot attend school or play freely outside. This environment leaves deep scars of fear, sadness and deprivation, forcing many of these children to believe that “Prison is their entire World.”

 

According to official documents, between 2019 to 2024, 148 innocent children were born in 91 prisons across Pakistan. In Punjab’s 41 prisons, 96 children were born, in Sindh’s 23 prisons, 34 children, in 15 prisons of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 14 children and in Balochistan’s prisons, 2 children were born.

 

According to Pakistan Prison Rules, a child can stay with their mother in prison until age six. After six, the child is separated from the mother.

 

But does a child stop needing their mother at six? Who will take responsibility for the things the child has seen, heard and learned in prison and the effects it could have on their personality and behavior?

 

It is the responsibility of the government and society to protect these innocent children and their future.

 

Psychologists says, a child is most sensitive until age five. These years build the foundation of their personality. If spent in bad conditions, it can cause long lasting damage to their mental health which they may carry for life.

 

Children are the future of the nation. We need a system that gives them proper care and upbringing. A child raised among criminals may become a criminal. The government and institutions must create safe environments so these children can grow into responsible and hopeful citizens. If we fail to protect these innocent children today, tomorrow we will face a weak society with more crime.