In Bangladesh, like in many other countries, prisons or jails are designed to serve as correctional institutions where individuals who have committed crimes are confined, rehabilitated, and reformed. Ideally, these institutions should play a crucial role in reducing recidivism (reoffending) by offering rehabilitation programs, education, and vocational training, which help inmates reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. However, in the context of Bangladesh, the current state of the prison system presents significant concerns, with many arguing that instead of reforming criminals, the prisons are inadvertently functioning as “universities for criminals.” This means that rather than rehabilitating offenders, the prison environment may further entrench criminal behavior and encourage the development of criminal networks. Below is a detailed exploration of this issue, supported by examples, evidence, and analysis.
One of the most pressing issues in Bangladesh’s prison system is overcrowding. The prisons are vastly overpopulated, with a significant disparity between the number of inmates and the capacity of the facilities. According to reports from the Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, the national prison population is often double or more than the official capacity of the prisons. This overcrowding creates an environment where inmates have limited space to move, sleep, or interact.
In overcrowded conditions, the ability to provide adequate correctional services—such as rehabilitation programs, education, and psychological counseling—becomes severely compromised. Instead of focusing on reform, inmates often spend their days in harsh and unsanitary conditions, where crime-related activities, such as gang formation, drug use, and the deepening of criminal mindsets, become the norm.
In the Kishoreganj Central Jail, one of the largest and most overcrowded prisons in Bangladesh, many prisoners report being forced to sleep on the floor due to the lack of space. This overcrowding foster tension, violence, and a sense of hopelessness among inmates, pushing them towards more radical behavior rather than rehabilitation.
Prisoners in such an environment are left with little to do but interact with fellow criminals, which leads to the further spread of criminal ideas and connections. Criminal organizations and gang affiliations can thrive in this environment, where the lack of supervision and limited access to constructive activities make it easier for inmates to establish criminal networks. These networks then act as informal “schools” for criminal behavior, were seasoned criminals mentor newcomers.
While some prisons in Bangladesh have programs designed to rehabilitate inmates, these are few and far between. Many prisoners leave jail without any new skills or qualifications, making them highly vulnerable to recidivism. Educational programs and vocational training that could provide inmates with the tools they need to reintegrate into society are often either underfunded or entirely absent. Without these programs, individuals are left with little option but to return to the lifestyle that led them to prison in the first place.
In the Dhaka Central Jail, which houses a large number of high-profile criminals, including individuals involved in organized crime, there are few educational or vocational programs to help prisoners develop skills for life after release. Most of the inmates come from poor socio-economic backgrounds and are uneducated, with little opportunity to gain new skills while incarcerated.
The absence of educational and vocational training means that inmates are left with little constructive activity to engage in. Instead of learning how to build a better future, they often form bonds with other criminals, learning the art of crime and further sharpening their illegal skills. The lack of opportunity for personal development turns the prison into a breeding ground for criminal thinking and behavior, much like a university dedicated to crime rather than reform.
Prisoners are typically segregated according to the severity of their crimes, but this is not always the case. New inmates, especially those with minor offenses, often find themselves housed with more hardened criminals, including members of powerful criminal syndicates, gang leaders, and individuals with significant experience in illegal activities.
In such environments, inexperienced offenders often learn from seasoned criminals. The older prisoners, who may have committed organized crimes, often teach younger inmates’ various criminal techniques, ranging from theft and fraud to more serious offenses such as drug trafficking and money laundering. Rather than being rehabilitated, these inmates become more deeply entrenched in criminal behavior.
In the Rajshahi Central Jail, many prisoners, including youths and first-time offenders, are often placed in close proximity to notorious criminals involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking. The influence of these hardened criminals creates an environment where the younger or less experienced inmates learn how to commit more serious crimes while serving time for minor offenses.
This exposure to experienced criminals leads to the “schooling“ of new offenders, who often adopt more sophisticated criminal behaviors. These individuals then return to society with a broader criminal skill set, which often leads to repeat offenses and the creation of new criminal networks. Instead of reforming the prisoners, the prison system unwittingly becomes a training ground for future criminals.
The absence of structured rehabilitation programs and adequate supervision in Bangladeshi prisons has allowed prison gangs to flourish. These gangs often exert control over various aspects of prison life, including extortion, illegal trade (such as drugs and contraband), and violent activity. They not only disrupt order within the prison but also extend their influence to the outside world, where they often continue to engage in criminal enterprises.
In the Chittagong Central Jail, prison gangs have been known to control key areas of the prison, including the smuggling of mobile phones and drugs. The leaders of these gangs often engage in illegal activities with contacts outside the prison, expanding their criminal networks even while incarcerated. For new inmates, joining these gangs may seem like the only way to survive, leading them deeper into criminality.
Prison gangs serve as an organized network for criminal education. The members of these gangs are often experienced criminals who teach newcomers about various illegal activities. These gangs also provide opportunities for inmates to form alliances and networks that will support them once they are released. In essence, the gangs function as an educational institution for criminal behavior, where the focus is on gaining power, wealth, and influence through illegal means.
While rehabilitation is a central goal of most prison systems worldwide, Bangladesh’s prison system has been criticized for failing to provide adequate reintegration programs. Upon release, prisoners often face significant barriers to reintegrating into society, including stigma, lack of support, and economic hardship. Without proper rehabilitation and reintegration, prisoners are left with limited options other than returning to their previous lives of crime.
Many inmates from the Mymensingh District Jail report that upon release, they find it difficult to reintegrate due to the lack of social support and resources. Often, they return to their previous social networks, which may include other criminals, leading to a continuation of criminal activities.
The lack of reintegration efforts means that released prisoners are often ill-prepared to lead lawful lives. With no support system or opportunities for employment, many return to their old criminal habits, further cementing the idea that the prison system is more of a “training ground” for criminality than a place of reform.
In conclusion, the argument that prisons in Bangladesh are functioning as “universities for criminals” is supported by the issues of overcrowding, lack of educational opportunities, the presence of powerful prison gangs, and inadequate rehabilitation programs. Instead of becoming places of reform, many of the country’s prisons unintentionally contribute to the deepening of criminal behavior and the formation of criminal networks.
To break this cycle, Bangladesh’s prison system requires significant reforms. These include:
Reducing overcrowding by expanding prison facilities and investing in alternative forms of detention for minor offenders.
Improving educational and vocational programs to give inmates the skills they need to reintegrate into society.
Addressing the power of prison gangs by ensuring stricter supervision and accountability.
Focusing on rehabilitation through psychological support, job training, and social reintegration efforts.
Only through comprehensive reform can prisons in Bangladesh truly serve their intended purpose of rehabilitation and reformation, rather than continuing to function as breeding grounds for criminal behavior.
The prison system in Bangladesh faces numerous challenges, including overcrowding, poor conditions, lack of rehabilitation programs, and the prevalence of criminal networks within prisons. To break the cycle of criminality and make prisons a place of rehabilitation and reform, a series of comprehensive reforms are essential. These reforms would aim not only to address the issues within the prison system but also to foster long-term change that reduces recidivism and improves reintegration for ex-offenders into society. Below are detailed suggestions for comprehensive reform:
One of the most pressing issues in Bangladesh’s prisons is overcrowding. The number of prisoners often exceeds the capacity of the facilities, resulting in unhealthy living conditions and heightened tension.
The government should invest in building new prisons with modern facilities to reduce overcrowding. These facilities must be built with adequate infrastructure, including proper sanitation, healthcare facilities, and ventilation. Expanding the number of prisons will also allow for the better segregation of offenders based on the severity of their crimes and their potential for rehabilitation.
The government can establish Restorative Justice Centers that focus on non-violent offenders. These centers could serve as alternatives to traditional prison facilities, offering a rehabilitative environment where inmates can attend vocational training, counseling, and community-building activities. This will help reduce the number of prisoners housed in traditional jails, making overcrowding less of an issue. For petty crimes, such as small-scale drug possession or minor theft, the government could adopt alternative punishments like community service or house arrest, freeing up space for serious offenders in the prison system.
Many prisons in Bangladesh house all types of offenders together, including first-time offenders, petty criminals, and hardened criminals. This situation can exacerbate criminal behavior, with inexperienced offenders learning from seasoned criminals.
Prisons should implement a proper classification system based on the severity of the crime, criminal history, and the risk posed by the inmate. First-time offenders and those convicted of minor crimes should be kept separate from hardened criminals and gang members. This will reduce the influence of violent offenders and prevent the spread of criminal behavior to less experienced prisoners.
Criminals involved in organized crime or drug trafficking should be kept in facilities with heightened security measures, while low-risk inmates could be housed in less restrictive environments with access to rehabilitation programs.
One of the most significant failings of the current prison system is the lack of adequate educational and vocational training programs. Many prisoners leave jail without acquiring any skills that would help them reintegrate into society.
The government should partner with educational institutions to offer basic education (literacy, numeracy) and higher education (diplomas, degrees) for prisoners. This will empower inmates with the knowledge they need to improve their lives upon release and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Establishing vocational training programs that teach practical skills—such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, computer skills, or tailoring—will allow prisoners to gain employment after their release. This reduces the risk of reoffending due to the lack of job opportunities. These programs could be run in collaboration with private enterprises and NGOs.
To ensure that prisoners are not left behind in an increasingly digital world, partnerships with tech companies could be established to teach digital literacy and basic coding skills. This would prepare prisoners for jobs in the tech sector, one of the fastest-growing industries globally.
Not all crimes require incarceration. For minor offenses, alternatives to imprisonment should be considered to prevent unnecessary jail time.
Diversion programs that offer alternatives to incarceration for first-time and low-risk offenders can be an effective reform. Programs that provide probation, community service, or electronic monitoring for minor offenses can help prevent overcrowding while still holding offenders accountable.
Courts could be empowered to use non-custodial sentences more often for certain offenses. These could include probation, house arrest, community service, or fines. Non-custodial sentences would allow the justice system to focus resources on more serious offenders while offering rehabilitative alternatives for less dangerous individuals.
Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm caused by crimes through dialogue and reconciliation between the offender and the victim. This approach can be used for minor offenses and can help offenders reintegrate into society more successfully, reducing the likelihood of recidivism.
Prisoners often suffer from mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The lack of proper mental health care exacerbates these issues and hinders the rehabilitation process.
Implementing mental health screening upon intake and providing ongoing psychiatric care and counseling services can significantly improve inmates’ psychological well-being. Trained counselors and psychologists should be available to help prisoners cope with their trauma and improve their emotional health.
Prisons must be equipped with proper healthcare facilities. Providing medical treatment for illnesses and injuries, along with regular health check-ups, can improve the general health of the inmate population. Good health is an essential component for a productive rehabilitation process.
Prison officers should receive training in mental health care, which will help them to better understand and support inmates facing psychological challenges. Officers should also be trained to handle emotional and behavioral issues without resorting to violence or coercion.
Corruption, abuse, and neglect are significant issues in many Bangladeshi prisons. Lack of oversight leads to harsh conditions and abuse of power by prison staff.
An independent body should be established to oversee prisons. This committee could be tasked with inspecting conditions, investigating complaints from inmates, and holding staff accountable for abuse or neglect. The oversight body should include human rights organizations and representatives from civil society.
Prison staff should receive regular training on human rights, conflict resolution, and behavioral management. Their compensation should be improved to ensure that they are less susceptible to corruption and abuse. Staff should be held to high standards of professionalism and ethics.
Periodic reporting on the condition of prisons and the rehabilitation efforts should be made available to the public and human rights organizations. This transparency would help ensure that the system is constantly improving and that abuses are less likely to go unnoticed.
Once prisoners are released, they often face significant challenges reintegrating into society due to a lack of support systems and the stigma of having been incarcerated.
The government, in collaboration with NGOs and community organizations, should provide reintegration services for former prisoners. This could include employment support, housing assistance, and mental health care. Offering these services would help former inmates adjust to life after release, reducing the likelihood of recidivism.
Community-based programs could be set up to assist ex-offenders in reintegrating into society. These programs can include job training, mentorship, and community service opportunities, allowing ex-prisoners to become productive and contributing members of society.
Public perception of former prisoners is often negative, which makes reintegration difficult. Awareness campaigns could educate society about the importance of giving ex-offenders a second chance and the role they can play in reducing reoffending rates.
Prison administration and leadership often focus more on maintaining security rather than promoting rehabilitation, resulting in missed opportunities to reduce reoffending.
Prison leadership should prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. This includes adopting an approach that treats inmates as individuals with potential for change rather than solely as criminals to be controlled. This shift in focus will lead to improved conditions and a stronger emphasis on reformation.
The training of prison administrators should incorporate principles of rehabilitation, restorative justice, and human rights. When leaders understand the importance of these areas, they can make more informed decisions that support the transformation of the prison system.
Reforming Bangladesh’s prison system is not an easy task, but it is an essential one if the country is to break the cycle of criminality and foster an environment that supports rehabilitation. By addressing issues such as overcrowding, lack of education, mental health support, and inadequate post-release reintegration, the government can create a system that encourages change rather than perpetuating criminal behavior. Comprehensive reform will not only help in the rehabilitation of prisoners but also benefit society at large by reducing recidivism and promoting long-term social stability.
