Red tape holds up execution of sentences
A total of 991 condemned cell inmates, including four Jamaat leaders — Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid, Delwar Hosaain Sayedee and Abul Kalam Azad, alias Bachchu — involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971, are behind bars. Of them, 987 are awaiting the gallows, according to sources in the Department of Prisons.
The sources alleged that the authorities concerned could not carry out the death sentences due to bureaucratic tangles.
Recently, the authorities have requested the home ministry to take steps for speedy disposal of the appeals of the 991 convicts on death row.
Brig. Gen. Ashraful Islam Khan, inspector general of the Department of Prisons, told The Independent that they always execute death sentences after disposal of appeal and clemency procedures. “But the process is being delayed because of legal formalities,” he added.
Sources said the country’s prisons were overflowing with inmates.There are 72,113 prisoners, as of July this year, against a capacity of 33,570 in 68 jails of the country. Owing to lack of space in prison cells, the authorities have no option but to keep the inmates huddled together. They are living in unhealthy conditions, with inadequate toilet, shower and sleeping facilities.
Of the total number of prisoners, 20,860 have already been convicted, while 51,133 are undergoing trial. There are about 120 foreigners waiting to return home. There are currently 2,524 such prisoners languishing in jails, against the capacity of 1,819.
The condition of the Dhaka Central Jail is the worst. It can keep 2,682 inmates, but now houses 7,490 of all categories. The Dhaka Central Jail Part-1 has 1,190 inmates, against a capacity of just 300; while the Dhaka Central Jail Part-2 houses 1,984 prisoners, against a capacity of 2,000. The high-security Central Jail has 1,585 prisoners, against a capacity of 1,000.
The Mymensingh Central Jail, with a capacity of 996, now holds 1,887 prisoners.
There are 1,255 inmates in the Tangail District Jail, sharing the space of 405 prisoners. Similarly, the Kishorganj District Jail, having space for just 233 prisoners, now holds 1,084 inmates. The Narayanganj District Jail, near Dhaka, can house 200 prisoners, but now accommodates 1,243 inmates.
The Chittagong Central Jail has space for 1,568 prisoners, but holds 4,954 inmates. The Comilla Central Jail has space for only 1,651 prisoners, but keeps 2,723 inmates and the Sylhet Central Jail, having room for 2,478 prisoners, houses 1,185 inmates.
In the Brahmanbaria District Jail, 1,481 prisoners are forced to share the space of 473 inmates. The Cox’s Bazaar District Jail, which has a capacity of 382, holds 2,331 inmates. The Jessore Central Jail, one of the oldest prisons in the country, has space for 1,919 prisoners, but houses 2,010 inmates. Similarly, the Barisal Central Jail, having a capacity to house 603 prisoners, holds 1,267 inmates, and the Khulna District Jail has 1,511 prisoners, against a provision for 590 inmates. In the Kustia District Jail, there are 1,031 inmates, sharing the space for 590 prisoners.
Ashraful Islam Khan, however, said the numbers of prisoners has reduced over the years. “We are releasing some prisoners after quickly disposing of pending cases taking their crimes into consideration,” he added.
-With The Independent input
