'Not only for VIPs, it's for all prisoners': What authorities say about AC prison van

An air-conditioned prison van with orange leather seats is not something you see every day in Bangladesh. Such an olive-coloured bus, with Bangladesh Jail's logo stencilled on it, was the centre of discussion for the last 24 hours.

The vehicle came to the fore when 15 army officials, including some in-service generals, were transported on it to the International Crimes Tribunal premises for a hearing on charges of enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity yesterday (22 October).

However, this is not the first time these vans have been used for prisoner's transportation, said Colonel Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, additional inspector general of prisons.

"We have such five vehicles, three for Dhaka's Keraniganj Central Prison, one for Kashimpur and another for Narayanganj prison," he told The Business Standard yesterday (22 October).

"Due to fuel crisis and financial shortcomings, we can't operate those prison vans for long-haul prisoners. However, this is the first time these olive vans caught the eyes of the nation due to the widely-talked about cases," he said.

"But these vehicles have been in operation for carrying prisoners from and to courts since 2023 and these vehicles are being widely used from 2024.

"It's not only made for the VIPS, it's for all prisoners," he claimed.

"The public saw the van for the first-time carrying prisoners, that is why they're criticising. But the reality is these vans have been used for a long time," Col Mustafa added.

He also added that the vehicles are mostly used to carry prisoners on Saturdays and Fridays. "These are the latest and finest in the fleet, better than the police's regular ones."

Citizens criticised the matter, terming the extra amenities such as air conditioning for the accused army officials a form of discrimination despite the movement against discrimination during the July Uprising.

One Abdullah Al Masud wrote on Facebook, "AC prison van carries 15 Bangladesh Army officers to ICT! Why are criminals getting this much comfort?"

Another Facebook user, Mutammim Ahmed, wrote, "How astonishing to witness such dreadful criminals and murderers are brought in using newly launched AC prison vans, even at the last point they wanted to have the highest service available!"

One of the accused, Lt Col (retd) Sarwar Bin Kashem, former spy chief of RAB, was demonstrating his heavily built body stretching and pulling up his right hand; which was also criticised.

About the van, the Bangladesh Jail authorities disclosed that every such van has five compartments and can carry around 45 prisoners.

According to the prison authorities, the engine and chassis were made by Japanese company Isuzu Motors and the rest was assembled in Bangladesh. The van has air conditioning, CCTV cameras, three cabins, 15 VIP seats, and a modern sound system to communicate with prisoners. It does not have any washroom, though.

Col Mustafa said the vehicles were made by Uttara Motors.

Uttara Motors' Public Relations Officer Utpal Saha told TBS that before 5 August last year, five vehicles were purchased from them with funding from the US Embassy and handed over to the Department of Prisons.

US gifted 5 prison vans

The United States had gifted five specialised prisoner transportation vehicles to the Department of Prisons on 17 July 2024.

TBS published a report on the same day tilted "US gifts 5 prison vans to Bangladesh".

This initiative was funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of Counter Terrorism (CT) and facilitated by the US Department of Justice's International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), read a US Embassy press release.

It underscores a commitment to enhancing security measures for handling high-threat and terrorist prisoners during legal proceedings, said the release.

These vehicles, equipped with state-of-the-art security features, are tailored to ensure the safe transportation of prisoners, safeguarding the welfare of court staff, plaintiffs, defendants, detainees, and observers alike.

"This initiative represents a crucial partnership between the United States and Bangladesh in strengthening counterterrorism efforts and ensuring the safety and security of all involved in the judicial process," stated Michael Hintz, law enforcement assistance attaché for the ICITAP.

"By providing these specialized vehicles, we aim to support the Government of Bangladesh in maintaining a secure environment during terrorism trials, thereby upholding justice and the rule of law," he said.