690 inmates escaped after July Uprising still at large, no info on 166: IG Prisons
Responding to queries about whether the fugitive militants have any connection to recent discoveries of bombs and bomb-like objects in and around the capital, Motaher admitted that prison authorities are "somewhat concerned about potential links to the escaped prisoners"
A total of 690 prisoners out of 2,247 who escaped from various jails across the country during the July Uprising on 5 August remain at large, with prison authorities possessing no identification information regarding 166 of them, said Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Md Motaher Hossain.
The IG Prisons disclosed the figures during a press conference held at the Department of Prisons headquarters in Bakshibazar, Old Dhaka, on Tuesday (18 August).
Addressing the lack of information on the 166 fugitives, he explained that they had escaped from Narsingdi District Jail, where a total of 826 inmates fled after all documents and electronic servers were completely destroyed during the political upheaval.
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He added that prison authorities have formally requested the relevant courts to provide information regarding those missing inmates.
Militants at large
Regarding fugitive militants, the IG Prisons stated that nine listed militants had escaped during the turmoil, six of whom have since been rearrested.
Among those apprehended was "Jewel Ostad", who had initially been released on bail before being arrested again by police recently, while three militants remain at large.
Responding to queries about whether the fugitive militants have any connection to recent discoveries of bombs and bomb-like objects in and around the capital, Motaher admitted that prison authorities are "somewhat concerned about potential links to the escaped prisoners" and are actively working on the matter.
Commenting on how Jewel had formed a rapport with fugitive "Bomaru Mamun" while incarcerated, the IG Prisons acknowledged that accommodation presents a major structural challenge due to severe overcrowding, making complete separation difficult.
He admitted, "There were management weaknesses in the past that allowed high-risk prisoners to mingle freely in shared wards or buildings," but he affirmed, "high-risk and serious offenders are now being placed under strict monitoring in separate designated zones across all prisons to prevent contact with general inmates."
Awami lawmakers' calls
Addressing allegations that former ministers and lawmakers of the activities-banned Awami League were being allowed to use mobile phones inside jail through guards, the IG Prisons said he could not give a cent per cent guarantee that phones were not being used, but stressed that authorities are showing zero tolerance on the matter.
He revealed that over 3,000 mobile phones were seized during various drives over the past year, noting that while seizures were high initially, sporadic incidents have declined significantly.
He assured that whenever information is received or identified, immediate action is taken to stop it.
Highlighting internal anti-corruption and anti-narcotics measures, the IG Prisons declared a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and drug involvement among prison personnel.
Over the past two years, 21 personnel were sent on compulsory retirement, 82 were dismissed from service, departmental proceedings were instituted against 870 staff members, and 303 personnel were administratively transferred outside their divisions for minor offenses.
He added that any prison guard involved in drug-related crimes is immediately handed over to the police under criminal charges.
Providing data on prison capacity and inmate volume, he stated that while the nation's prisons have an official capacity for 45,000 inmates, the current population stands at approximately 98,000, up from an operational average of around 80,000.
Over 26,000 convicts
According to recent records, about 2,796 prisoners enter and around 3,000 exit daily, creating a massive floating turnover close to 2,00,000 people, with the net balance constantly driving up total population figures.
He noted that between 1 June and 31 July, prisons received over 26,000 individuals convicted by mobile courts for short sentences ranging from one day to three months, creating immense pressure on jail management, a matter that has already been brought to the government's attention.
Addressing the health services crisis in prisons, the IG Prisons reported a severe shortage of doctors, explaining that out of 151 sanctioned doctor posts, only two posted doctors are currently serving.
Medical care in other prisons is being managed temporarily through 101 civil surgeons who hold full-time positions elsewhere and cannot dedicate full-time service to jails.
However, pharmacists are now present in almost all prisons, diploma-qualified medical staff are available across facilities, and 55 nurses recently appointed by the Public Service Commission are expected to join soon, he added.
Regarding foreign nationals, he informed that 379 foreign prisoners are currently held in Bangladeshi jails, 170 of whom have completed their sentences and are awaiting repatriation.
Prison authorities are communicating with their respective embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate their phased return home.
On the management of foreign prisoners who pass away in custody, the IG Prisons stated that authorities managed 17 bodies of foreign nationals over the past two years, successfully repatriating two to India while preserving the remainder locally.
Under standard policy, decisions regarding unclaimed bodies are taken after three months while preserving identification data, and three such bodies are currently stored in cold storage pending government directives, the IG Prisons added.
