Can Bangladesh Jail’s new name bring real change?

As part of the interim government's reform drive, Bangladesh Jail is set to get a new identity. It will soon be renamed Correction Services Bangladesh to reflect a stronger focus on rehabilitation over punishment.

Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Md Motaher Hossain announced the change on 26 August, adding that a draft Correction Services Act 2025 has already been prepared and submitted for approval to modernise outdated prison laws and make them more relevant to present needs.

The idea of renaming prisons in line with correction services is not entirely new. Many, including human rights activists, have long advocated for such a change, and unsurprisingly, the announcement has been welcomed by some of them.

Speaking to The Business Standard, prominent lawyer and rights activist Nur Khan Liton called it "a very positive step". He said that in Bangladesh's culture, prisons have always been seen as frightening places meant only for punishment. The concepts of correction, rehabilitation, or the chance to start life afresh were largely absent. 

"Even a wrongdoer can turn into a good person, but that idea was missing in our system," noted the former chief and secretary general of Ain o Salish Kendra.

"That's precisely why this move by the government is a good initiative — it may not solve everything, but it creates a necessary starting point. Much more remains to be done, but at least the first step has been taken," he added.

Yet, questions remain over whether a name change alone can bring about real reform. 

In recent times, there has been little precedent for such initiatives delivering on their promises. The recent decision to change police uniforms (yet to roll out), for instance, had little effect on the force's culture, operations, or its relationship with the public, raising concerns that renaming prisons could be another symbolic gesture with limited impact.

Among the skeptics is Dr Sazzad Siddiqui, chairman of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dhaka University, who sees the move as "another populist show-off to cover the incapability of the existing system". 

He argued that despite high expectations, the interim government has fallen short on meaningful reforms and is drifting away from its original agenda. "In our context, correction centres are a completely different thing and should fall under the Social Welfare ministry. Folding that idea into the jail system will not really help much," he said.

"If seen objectively, it is a frivolous decision," Dr Siddiqui added. "The real reform should have focused on ensuring public safety, but in that regard there has been no meaningful improvement. Even changing police uniforms in the past made no difference. In this way, we are drifting away from the true spirit of July."

He further noted that while the name change itself may not achieve much, it will incur significant costs — new committees, official paperwork, documentation, updated nameplates, even constitutional changes.

However, the idea of correction services as an alternative to traditional prisons is not without merit. Globally, some countries have demonstrated the effectiveness of rehabilitation-focused systems. 

In Scandinavian nations such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark, prisons are designed primarily for rehabilitation rather than punishment. Inmates have access to education, vocational training, and psychological support, while prison staff act more as mentors and counselors than strict enforcers. The living environment is structured to resemble normal life as much as possible, helping inmates develop the skills and habits needed to reintegrate into society.

This approach has proven highly effective. Norway, for instance, has one of the world's lowest recidivism rates, with only about 20% of released prisoners reoffending within two years. Sweden has even closed some prisons due to declining crime and fewer repeat offenders, while Denmark operates "open prisons" that allow inmates to work or study outside during the day, fostering responsibility and gradual reintegration.

The benefits extend beyond the individual. Lower reoffending rates reduce the burden on the justice system, lower societal costs, and contribute to safer communities. By prioritising rehabilitation and human dignity, these countries have built prison systems that transform lives rather than merely punish wrongdoing.

Dr Md Tawohidul Haque, criminology expert and associate professor at Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, acknowledged that while the idea of correction services instead of traditional prisons sounds appealing, and clearly the government too wanted to follow in the footsteps of Western countries, he questioned the timing and impact of the move. 

"Renaming Bangladesh Jail at this stage is not very necessary, and this step is not likely to bring much fruit," he said. "Our jail system is simply not ready for such a drastic change, largely due to the model it currently follows."

He explained that the prison system cannot function in isolation and depends on broader societal mechanisms for crime prevention and rehabilitation. 

"The process relies on three critical stages," Dr Haque said. "First, the law enforcement system must ensure that crime is strictly controlled. Without this, any reform of the prison system is just a cosmetic step. In Bangladesh, we have largely failed here — crime is rising, and preventive measures are insufficient."

"Second," he continued, "even with preventive measures, some people will commit crimes. The state's responsibility is to bring them under the law quickly and ensure proper correction while in prison. This includes therapy, counselling, vocational training, and employment opportunities. Right now, our system is completely outdated in this regard."

He also emphasised the importance of post-release monitoring. "Third, we need to know what happens after prisoners are released. Are they reintegrating into society? Are they working lawfully, and is society accepting them? Unfortunately, there hasn't yet been any extensive study on this in our country. Without this knowledge, reform is incomplete."

Overcrowding remains another key concern. According to reports from earlier this month, Bangladesh's prisons hold more than one and a half times their intended capacity. Across 70 prisons, including those in Dhaka, there is space for 42,887 inmates, but 77,291 are currently held — 34,404 more than capacity. 

Motaher Hossain, however, said in his recent briefing that to tackle overcrowding, new central prisons and four district jails have recently been opened. For improved coordination, Dhaka Division has also been split into two administrative zones.

But as Dr Haque said, "Our prisons are not only overcrowded, but also unhygienic and lacking adequate food, recreation, and medical care. Many inmates cannot even meet their families regularly. Drug abuse is rampant, and the overall environment is oppressive. Until these conditions improve, simply renaming the jail or making minor administrative changes will achieve little."