Desk Report,
Chittagong jail has more than tripled the number of prisoners, land is not available for a new prison
The Chittagong Central Jail now has more than three times the capacity. They have to live in crowded conditions. Although an initiative has been taken to build a new prison to remedy this situation, land has not been available even after five years. Despite repeated requests from the Prisons Department, no progress has been made.
Chittagong jail has more than tripled the number of prisoners, land is not available for a new prison
Prison sources said that although land was selected for the new prison in Jangal Salimpur of Sitakunda Upazila, it could not be acquired as it was occupied. Now new land is being sought.
Brigadier General Syed Mohammad Motahar Hossain, Director General of the Prisons Department, told Prothom Alo, “Currently, there are more than three times as many prisoners in the Chittagong Prison. Despite repeated requests, we are not getting land for a new prison. If there is a new prison, it can be developed as a correctional facility, where there will be arrangements for training, preparing prisoners as workers in the fisheries and garment industries.”
Prison sources said that in October 2023, a letter signed by Additional Inspector General of Prisons Colonel Mohammad Mostafa Kamal was sent to the Chittagong Prison. It identified and requested the acquisition of at least 75 acres of land in the jungle of Salimpur in Sitakunda. Earlier, letters were sent in four phases asking for land in October 2019, August 2020 and June 2021. The letter mentioned that due to lack of space, productive activities including gardening, fish farming, furniture making, etc. run by prisoners could not be started. The risk of contracting various diseases is also increasing due to the overcrowding of prisoners.
From March to August 2021, the Chittagong prison authorities inspected the areas of Jangal Salimpur in Sitakunda, Fatehabad in Hathazari, Shikalbaha and Char Patharghata in Karnaphuli, Fakirhat in Patia and the Military Bridge in Boalkhali. Considering the distance to the Chittagong court building, medical college and police lines, Jangal Salimpur was considered suitable. It would also be easier to bring and take the accused to the court from here.
