The new central jail
The newly-built premise
is surely a part of an advanced infrastructure scheme, but its actual
success will depend on
how efficiently it is run
by its administrators
Built on a spacious area in Keraniganj, the newly-constructed Dhaka Central Jail will undoubtedly overcome many of the old problems as there are separate facilities for males and females as well as a platform for execution, a hospital and residential units for prison staff. The decision to relocate the central jail outside the city was very important and it has been materialised based on logical and sensible thinking related to health, safety and security matters. Moreover, this facility is also going to be equipped with modernised security systems.
However, Bangladeshs prisons are part of the criminal justice system, which has long been riddled with controversial means of handling prisoners. The newly-built premise is surely a part of an advanced infrastructure scheme, but its actual success will depend on how efficiently it is run by its administrators.
Three aspects in particular have long overshadowed the interior jail scenarios of Bangladesh, which are chronic overcrowding, poor and mal-treatment of prisoners and lack of modernised jail facilities. Given the current governments commitment to break free from these shortcomings, there are still a lot more to do. For instance, prisons in Bangladesh are still governed by laws dating back to the 19th century.
In practice, many people, particularly the poor, become entangled in the penal system where they face violations of their human rights. And also, masses of prisoners still languish in jail awaiting trial and spend many years imprisoned without legal support. These painful facts will have to be quickly addressed judiciously.
In terms of information management, we believe the newly-constructed jail will introduce the countrys first criminal database for ensuring full control over the law and order situation in the country. Most importantly, modernised facilities and improved governance should not be solely restricted within the newly-built jail alone. Additionally, in the current context of frequently changing patterns in crimes our prisons should particularly focus on how to appropriately deal with militants and terrorists while deterring them from executing mass destructive activities from jails.
Last of all, prisons in Bangladesh have traditionally been closed institutions and it is a new phenomenon that they are being discussed in public as well as at an international levels. This optimistic change in mindset should lead the state to treat prisoners as the other members of society. Having served their terms, they should come out as corrected and responsible individuals not as bigger criminals.
Thus, the goal of all our prisons scattered across the country should be to guide the misguided people for purposeful living. It is their crimes which are abhorrent and not their persons. It is now expected that lessons from past failures will be taken and the goals of having prisons will be achieved.
