Community Justice Center for GBV

Project idea

Women and trans folks restricted access to justice in Pakistan,
is not only a result of antiquated laws and the judiciary’s lack but is also a result of the interplay between various social, cultural, structural & legal complexities that can only be understood and addressed through a keen interdisciplinary analysis of the justice system and its gatekeepers. Justice dispensing centers like the Police Stations and Courts are viewed as intimidating and dangerous. In terms of infrastructure, there are no secure waiting areas with few dirty latrines, while perpetrators and other under-trial prisoners move about in shackles with Police escorts. The housing of female and trans prisoners in overcrowded prisons where they languish for years with no ultimate goal of rehabilitation shows the final stage of a system that takes victims of neglect and frustration and turns them into socially excluded individuals.
My Justice Center is in part inspired by the Red Hook Court in Brooklyn while contextualizing it to the community of Kott Lakhpat which is already accustomed to the imposing presence of Central Jail(a symbol of institutional failings and colonial legacy of retributive justice model).
With 2/3 of the prison Population on trial awaiting lengthy proceedings in an overcrowded prison. A particularly vulnerable sub-group are the women prisoners of which 31% are on trial and the trans prisoners with no separate housing. There is a need to shift the current model of
justice towards rehabilitation. This starts by (a) bridging the gap between the community and Justice dispensing institutions by streamlining the proceedings making the process efficient (b) Encouraging community presence and active participation at the center so the biases for such
institutions can be broken down (c) Ultimately the aim is to restore faith in justice and the concept of rehabilitation whereby marginalized folks can feel taken care of protected within a system that values positive growth and ‘self-improvement

Project description

One part of the program focuses on streamlining the speedy justice delivery process for victims and all services to them including First Aid, FIR lodging, prosecution, medical examination, forensics, information on housing, and legal aid for female victims have been provided under one single roof.
The second part of the project focuses on Prisoner rehabilitation programs and facilitating the on-trial prison population through the provision of legal aid plus proximity to a community court.

Technical information

The building layout is dictated by zoning and circulation demands which call for secure passages for prisoners and the judges which are separate from public circulation. Layed out on a grid of concrete columns with vaulted barrel roofing made of cement concrete and china mosaic finishing. Brick walls with perforations on the South and West facade and the open plaza space oriented towards the main public access on the east.

Documentation

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