Govt mulls reducing 30-year jail term for lifers, release elderly convicts
The home adviser said that the interim government wants to be "more liberal" with female inmates
Highlights:
- Interim govt plans to reduce 30-year life sentences to a shorter duration for elderly convicts' release
- Proposal to set 20 years for women, slightly longer for men
- Age threshold for "elderly" convicts still under consideration
- Risk of re-offending if released too young
- Govt aims to take a "more liberal" approach with female inmates
The interim government is considering reducing the prison term for convicts serving life sentences from the current 30 years and may release elderly prisoners under relaxed conditions, said Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
He made the statement at the secretariat today (14 September), following a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order.
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"We are looking to reduce the lifetime sentence of 30 years to a reasonable duration to make arrangements for the release of elderly convicts," the adviser said.
He added that for women, the term might be reduced to 20 years, while it could be slightly longer for men.
The home adviser acknowledged various problems within the prison system, including budgetary issues, and noted the need for more funds for medicines for old and sick inmates.
He said the interim government's decision to relax the conditions for the release of elderly convicts stems from a desire to address these issues.
While the specific age has yet to be determined, the adviser said the government is considering various factors.
"If someone commits a crime at 18 and is released after 20 years at age 38, they might re-offend," he said.
He assured that such issues will be considered, but emphasised that the government wants to be "more liberal" with female inmates.
