Over 700 prisoners, including 70 high-profile criminals and militants, remain at large following the July-August anti-discrimination uprisings, said the Inspector General of Prisons Syed Mohammad Motahar Hossain.
"There are currently 69 jails, of which 17 are deemed old and hazardous. The government has been urged to expedite renovation and reconstruction efforts," he said at a press conference held on Wednesday (4 December) in the Bakshibazar area of Old Dhaka.
Addressing queries about the incident at Shahbagh’s PG Hospital, where an imprisoned former MP was attacked during treatment, the IG Prisons admitted lapses in security.
He emphasised the necessity of transporting prisoners to public hospitals for medical care, while acknowledging that inadequate safeguards contributed to the mishap. Immediate action by on-duty guards prevented further escalation. Plans for a central prison hospital are underway to obviate such risks.
Regarding the inmate population, he stated, “Our capacity is 42,000 prisoners, but numbers often exceed this limit. On August 5, there were 55,000 inmates, but the figure has now surged to 65,000.”
Commenting on the department’s decision to change its logo, he explained, “The current logo, featuring a boat and other symbols, often raises questions about its relevance. As we lack historical documentation to justify it, we have opted for a redesign to avoid ambiguity.”
On the jailbreaks during the uprising, Hossain detailed how violence erupted in multiple prisons on 5 August amid student-led protests that escalated into a nationwide upheaval.
Riots, external assaults, and arson resulted in 2,200 prisoners escaping, including those sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
Of these, 1,500 have been recaptured, but 700 remain at large, among whom are 70 high-risk criminals and militants. Investigations revealed critical security flaws, including infrastructural and procedural deficiencies, prompting recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The first jailbreak occurred at Narsingdi Prison, where the jail superintendent has been suspended pending an ongoing inquiry. The incident resulted in injuries to 201 guards, alongside attacks on staff quarters. Efforts to support affected personnel are in progress.
Responding to questions about division facilities for prisoners, Hossain clarified that first-class status is granted to government officers or eminent individuals based on recommendations from district magistrates. Applications for such privileges are being processed.
Authorities continue to grapple with the repercussions of the mass jailbreaks while implementing measures to bolster prison security and management systems.
