prisoner rights Ansar Burney has worked for the cause of justice for decades and has been successful in securing the release of around 900,000 confined persons from various sites around the world. As such, he is perhaps best known for his work for the release of illegally or wrongfully confined persons. These have included persons locked up for over 55 years on false charges or those confined in mental institutions even though they are perfectly sane or born in prisons. Having been imprisoned himself, Burney witnessed the conditions in which prisoners were living and set about immediately to help them. He began by visiting many prisons and mental institutions in Pakistan looking for individuals confined on false charges, locked away without charge or persons who had been framed. He also began to speak out for reforms in prisons and mental institutions; and as a result, he has made great progress over the last three decades. Through surprise inspections and by having representatives in prisons and mental institutions, the Ansar Burney Trust monitors to ensure that no prisoner or patient is abused. It has successfully lobbied for better living conditions and food, separate prisons for men and women, education and training for prisoners. It has put a stop to the shackling of mental patients and children in chains and has successfully managed to end the practice of jailed women giving birth in prison. The Trust arranges parties and entertainment for prisoners and patients. Due to their lobbying and donations, better medical equipment and staff are now working in prisons and institutions – offering better medical service to prisoners and especially patients. Mental patients locked in prison due of lack of space in hospitals are sent back for better care. Women prisoners and patients who would have given birth in confinement, with only each other to help, are now under the supervision of female nurses after Burney raised this matter with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Trust's staff have met with female prisoners and patients to investigate charges of sexual abuse leading to a reduction in prison rapes. It lobbied successfully to ban female prisoners being dealt with by male staff. Non-Muslim prisoners, unable to perform their religious duties before, are now provided what they need in order to practice their faith. In the month of Ramadan, non-Muslim prisoners are now provided food for by the Trust so they are not