prisons mission society of pakistan

M A U R I C E S H A H B A Z

WELCOME TO WORLD OF PRISONS MISSION SOCIETY

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INTRODUCTION

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I am Pastor Maurice Shahbaz Founder and Director of Prison Mission Society Pakistan) from Islamic Republic of Pakistan born in a poor Christian family from Layyah a small village in Pakistan.


I BELONG TO A POOR FAMILY AND MY FATHER WAS A FARMER BY PROFESSION. SINCE IT WAS A DESERT AREA WE AS FAMILY WERE DEPRIVED OF BASIC NEEDS OF LIFE SUCH AS WATER, FOOD AND HEALTH CARE. LIFE WAS GOING GOOD AND I WAS THANKFUL TO GOD FOR HIS LOVE UNTIL THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE ARRIVED. DURING A PANCHAYAT (VILLAGE COUNCIL) MEETING OVER A DISPUTE TWO PARTIES GOT INVOLVED IN A ROW WHICH ENDING UP ATTACKING WITH BATONS. SUDDENLY ANY ONE HIT A PERSON AND UNFORTUNATELY THE PERSON EXPIRED. I WAS JUST 13 YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME AND DUE TO THIS HORRIBLE MISTAKE I ENDED UP IN SIALKOT JAIL AS LIFE TIME SENTENCED PRISONER.

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MY FIRST DAY OF PRISON 29TH JULY 1986

I still remember that night mare of my life of 29th July, 1986. My first day that time had no proper sewerage system so the Christian prisoners were being forced to pick Human waste. I resisted and was tortured wildly and savagely. That very day I decided that I will change my life into better direction and I started my education once again in the prison. I completed my college in 1989 and graduation in 1993.I was fortunate enough to earn master’s degree in psychology in 1996 during my imprisonment .I was released from prison in 10th June, 1998 .That was the best day of my life I could move freely I could breath freely It was like born again experience of my life in jail was fine but next morning I was shocked to know that since jails at


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FREEDOM DAY

10TH JUNE,1998

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That Time GOD moved my heart and with passion to serve humanity as Jesus did I decided to give my life humbly to the welfare of GOD’s people. As a first step in that direction I founded Prisons Mission Society of Pakistan. It is Humanitarian Welfare and Social Organization .It is working to create a better world for prisoners. It started its function in 1999 as a charitable organization in the field of prisons. It is registered in August 2002 under the societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860. In Pakistan Prisons Mission Society is the first organization that is registered with Government of Pakistan. To make the prisoners a useful citizen and make them a part of development of this country.

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HISTORYThe birth of the Prisons Mission Society came about because I was given a prison life sentence in July 1986, as the result of dispute between two families. I was 13 years old and was not involved, but was arrested with people who were fighting. I experienced many difficulties and extreme trials during 12 unjust years in prison.

M A U R I C E S H A H B A Z 7


During these years, I also closely observed the pain of people suffering hopelessly in the prisons. Sometimes, due to illness and many other reasons, they cannot see any light in their dark future. Even very skilled inmates do not have much chance to improve their lives in any way, but I accepted the challenge and completed my education from Matriculation, F.A., B.A, Diploma in Advanced Studies in Urdu, Diploma in Advanced Studies in Punjabi, and M.A.

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VISIONTo Hook (Outreach), Heal (emotional & spiritual restoration) and Help (Transitional assistance) and create a better world for prisoners to promote the education skills of prisoner’s as well as moral character and to equip them to face their future upon their release.

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OUR DEPARTMENTS

■ Education Department■ Health Department■ Legal Department■ Rehabilitation and Social Welfare Department

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OBJECTIVES OF PRISONS MISSION SOCIETY

Social welfare of prisoners.

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COORDINATIONTo coordinate with the prisoners and their families.

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COORDINATION OF OTHER MINISTRIESTo coordinate to national and international prison

ministries and exchange experience and staff.

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CHANGE THE APTITUDETo promote the education skills of prisoners as

well moral aptitude.

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The right to non-discriminatory treatment (freedom from discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, sex, color, etc).

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REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.(THROUGH THE PROJECT OF POVERTY REDUCE AND SUPPORT TO PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN PAKISTAN)

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ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRISONERS IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, RELIGION AND SOCIAL/MORAL SECTORS.

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Educating and providing health facilities to needy prisoners and their families.

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Provision of help to prisoners in paying their fines for their release.

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Providing legal assistance to needy and deserving prisoners

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ACHIEVEMENTSAMENDMENT IN PAKISTAN PRISON RULES

FOR MINORITIES PRISONERS.

PMS has made an amendments in the Pakistan Prison Rules and provided a religious syllabus for Minorities prisoners.This allows Christian/Hindu prisoners to be treated likeMuslim prisoners who attain religious education. For manyYears Muslim Prisoners have been allowed some remissionof their sentences if they gain religious education. The sameOpportunity should be allowed to Christian Prisoners underrule 215 of the Pakistan Prison Rulers (JailManual). Before now, Christian Prisoners have notreceived this opportunity because Rule 215 does not specifya syllabus for non-Muslim Prisoners.

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CENTERS FOR EXAMINATION & STUDY INSIDE PRISONS

Attaining permission from the Jail Authorities and Courts forsetting up of Educational and Examination Centers within thejail premises.

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SEMINARS ON VARIOUS ISSUES

Attaining permission from the Jail Authoritiesand Courts for holding lectures and seminars for theprisoners on various issues.

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ACADEMIC EDUCATIONPMS is yearly helping 300 prisoners for improving their academic qualifications and provides books, stationary to the Prisoners for Adult Literacy, Religious books and Literature, Matriculation, F.A., B.A., classes in prisons.

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STAFF OF PRISONS MISSION SOCIETY

We have providing 170 educated and qualified teachers/Pastors/Doctors and Professors for education in different prisons of Pakistan.

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MERIT OF PASTORS/TEACHERS FOR PRISONS

PMS has made an amendment in Pakistan Prison Rule for the minorities’ prisoners that the Christian teachers/Pastors who teach inside the prisons in Pakistan should be intermediate / graduate from any recognized Board of Education /University and religious education will be bachelor of Theology/Master of Divinity from recognized Seminary /University.

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HEALTH AWARENESS THROUGH SEMINARS, WORKSHOP , CAMPS IN PRISONS

PMS is providing better health facilities and to educating prisoners about health through arranging seminars , workshop , camps inside prisons on HIV/AIDS and Drug prevention awareness education by the cooperation of the Government of Pakistan and Jail authorities.

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Prisons Mission Society wishes to further extend its ministry into all Pakistani prisons. We seek the Lord to touch His children and churches to provide support for this cause. In the End I would like to encourage you all to extend you hand to help those who are extremely in need of your assistance. The need is great! Please could you pray and send us your donations, whatever amount, as God leads you in giving and your gift of love will be invested in the ministry so that the work of God can continue to grow. Pray and ask the Lord to engrave this need in your heart.

NEEDS AND CHALLENGES

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Funds and building material to build the Office of Prisons Mission Society.(we are currently renting an office)

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prisons mission society of pakistan

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