The country's 75 prisons are currently housing inmates at 1.7 times their approved capacity, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed Parliament on Wednesday.
Responding to a starred question from NCP lawmaker Md Abul Hasnat, the minister said that, according to data available until 7 June, the total approved capacity of the country's prisons is 45,136, while the current inmate population stands at 77,040.
Of the total inmates, 74,963 are men against an approved capacity of 43,107, while 2,077 are women against a capacity of 2,029.
Salahuddin Ahmed said several prisons are facing accommodation shortages due to overcrowding. To address the issue, the government has undertaken a series of infrastructure expansion projects.
He said, “The Special Central Jail in Keraniganj, Sylhet Central Jail-2, Feni District Jail-2 and Khulna District Jail-2 have already been commissioned and are operational. Meanwhile, Kishoreganj District Jail-2, Madaripur District Jail-2 and Pirojpur District Jail-2 are set to be inaugurated soon.”
The minister also noted that reconstruction work is underway at Mymensingh, Cumilla and Jamalpur prisons, while a new prison is being built in Narsingdi.
“Once completed, these four projects will increase the country's prison capacity by 2,955, raising the total approved capacity to 48,131,” he added.
The home minister further said the government has approved reconstruction projects for regional prisons in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Noakhali, Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
FP/MI
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