Prison population reaches 1.7 times capacity: Home Minister

Bangladesh's prisons are operating far beyond their intended capacity, with inmate numbers reaching nearly 1.7 times the approved limit, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from NCP lawmaker Md. Abul Hasnat, the minister said the country's 75 prisons have a combined capacity of 45,136 inmates, including 43,107 men and 2,029 women.

However, as of June 7, the total prison population stood at 77,040, comprising 74,963 male inmates and 2,077 female inmates, creating significant accommodation pressure in several correctional facilities.

To address overcrowding, the government has already opened additional facilities, including the Special Central Jail in Keraniganj, Sylhet Central Jail-2, Feni District Jail-2, and Khulna District Jail-2. New facilities in Kishoreganj, Madaripur, and Pirojpur are also expected to begin operations soon.

The minister further said reconstruction work is progressing on prisons in Mymensingh, Cumilla, and Jamalpur, while a new district jail is being built in Narsingdi. Once completed, these projects will add capacity for 2,955 more inmates.

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According to the minister, the expansion initiatives will increase the country's total prison capacity to 48,131 inmates, helping ease pressure on the correctional system.