Prison reforms

---

THE inhuman prison systems of the past when people were thrown into jails by fiats and perished there suffering in inhuman conditions, have generally given way to a more caring system in many countries where the imprisoned ones are allowed enjoyment of their fundamental rights such as a proper trial, reasonable lodging conditions, medicare, food and kind treatment by the prison wardens. But Bangladesh continued to be one of the countries where international standards in taking care of prisoners where largely absent.
Generally, the prisons of Bangladesh are found to be overcrowded. After the promulgation of emergency, the situation has, perhaps, worsened further as the government is forced by circumstances to take many alleged corrupt persons into custody. In fact, the number of prisoners in jails is now far in excess of capacities thereof. Prisoners may be locked up in a small room in excess of holding capacity. The quality of foods supplied to the prisoners is difficult to ensure in all cases under such circumstances. Beddings, mosquito nets and electrical fans are unknown to the rank and file of the prisoners. Most of them are compelled to do hard work in the prison compounds in the day time. Recreation such as radio, TV and newspapers are not provided to them. Many times reports appeared in the press about persons who have been languishing in jail without trials for years and also about children in jails who should be at correction centres. Hardly any system operates in our prison houses aimed at character improvements and eventual social rehabilitation of the released prisoners.
Thus, prison reforms have been crying out for attention and it was a welcome sign that the immediate past government responded to this need by taking steps for jail reforms that would lead to humane treatment of prisoners which is the universally held and promoted value these days. The prisoners, on implementation of the reforms, would stand a chance of being substantially benefited.
But adopting the reforms in paper will not mean the automatic creation of physical conditions for their implementation. New jail houses will have to built to address the basic problem of the overcrowded jails. Meanwhile, provisional physical facilities will have to added in the existing jail houses to the same end. Increased allocations will have to be made in the national budget to pay for the proposed amenities of prisoners. All of these tasks and more will have to be completed well ahead of the time of implementation of the reforms.
Abdullah Al Mamun
Patla Khan Lane, Dhaka