No need to be concern over prison security management anymore

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain took charge as the Inspector General of Prisons on August 11. Prior to this appointment, Brigadier General Motaher served as the Director General of the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). Despite having no prior experience in the prison administration, he took charge as the head of the Directorate of Prisons. After a month in this role, he spoke with Views Bangladesh’s senior correspondent, Kamrul Hasan, about the measures he is taking to improve prison conditions.

Views Bangladesh: You have completed one month and one week as the head of the Bangladesh Prisons. Could you share your experience and observations regarding prison management during this time?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: I undoubtedly joined this department in an unfamiliar environment, and to be honest, I was not fully prepared for it. However, I joined, and one month and seven days have already passed. Initially, my experience was somewhat chaotic. It was a difficult situation because, as you may have seen, there was unrest in many places. There was a sense of dissatisfaction among the inmates. They had this feeling that since the country is independent, why should they remain imprisoned (laughs)? But not everyone is a political prisoner. Those facing criminal charges are not entitled to release. It took a lot of effort to convey this.

Nonetheless, we have implemented changes in the management of prisoners across various prisons. We have ensured that they receive a humane environment. We’ve worked on provisions to ensure they receive what they are entitled to. We have also resumed inmate interviews, which were previously suspended. The dissatisfaction that existed has been largely alleviated. Additionally, many inmates have been released on bail, bringing the prison population to around 55,000, which has helped us manage the prisoners more effectively. We have also adjusted our handling processes, leading to an overall improvement in the situation.

Another issue was the resentment and frustration among prison guards and our staff. They had various demands, which they presented to me during my visits to different prisons or sent to the head office. We’ve formed committees to address these demands, and we’ve already taken steps to solve several of them. Some matters are still in the pipeline for further adjustments or reforms. We’ve taken action on internal issues and informed the ministry about others that need their attention. Overall, I believe we (the Directorate of Prisons) are moving in a positive direction. There is no longer a situation to be alarmed about.

Views Bangladesh: What deficiencies have you identified in the prison management, and what areas need improvement? You mentioned institutional corruption. What steps have you taken in this regard?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: There is a common perception that the prison department is corrupt. I acknowledge this, and I want to work with that understanding. If I deny it, the opportunity for improvement is lost. Since it’s a prevailing notion, I accept it and move forward with work. The first step we took was to ensure that professionally skilled, competent, and clean-record officers are posted and active so that transparency can be ensured in prison management. We’ve tried to bring transparency in postings and other areas, ensuring that individuals are placed based on merit without bias. Previously, the prison department often faced external interference, which hindered its operation—be it from the Ministry of Home Affairs or political influences. Compared to that, I’m in a better position now. I consider myself fortunate because I am not facing any such pressure from the ministry or political interference, which allows me to work transparently.

I’m also addressing corruption. Those who have definite allegations against them are being investigated, and if proven, there will be no leniency. You will soon see some actions being taken. Through this, I aim to send a clear message: if you engage in corruption, you will face punishment.

In terms of prisoner management, I’ve mentioned earlier about handling processes, expediting bail processing, facilitating prisoner interviews, and preventing corruption related to equipment or medicine distribution. To address these issues, we have implemented a system where no staff or officer remains in one place for too long to avoid entrenchment in corrupt activities. You may have noticed changes in most prisons in this regard. We are working to reduce corruption. While we cannot claim to eradicate it in a single attempt, we hope it will soon be reduced to a tolerable level.

Views Bangladesh: What steps are being taken regarding the escaped prisoners?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: Among the escaped militants, nine were convicted, and the rest were under trial. Some of the nine were sentenced to death, and others to various terms of imprisonment. However, none of the leaders managed to escape—no one of top or significant rank. Some notable individuals have been released, but they were granted bail. In addition, cases have been filed to capture those under trial who escaped, and coordination is underway with national intelligence agencies such as the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and the Detective Branch (DB) of Bangladesh Police.

Views Bangladesh: How many VIP prisoners are there, and how many are receiving division facilities?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: As of today (Thursday), there are 44 VIP prisoners, though this number is subject to change. VIP prisoners receive privileges in two ways: some are granted these facilities by the court, while others apply for them. In fact, most of them apply for it, as they are already aware of what privileges they can get. For government officials, the division facility is built-in. So far, 14 have been granted division facilities.

Views Bangladesh: Many take advantage of healthcare services to avoid prison punishment or receive undue benefits. What measures have you taken regarding this?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: On this matter, we fully rely on the doctors. They determine who needs treatment, who should be admitted to the hospital, and who needs to be sent outside for treatment. However, we have already instructed that only those genuinely in need of treatment should stay in the prison hospital.

Views Bangladesh: Are you conducting any research on improving prison management and preventing future crimes?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: Very few people know that we already have a research cell dedicated to prison management improvement. Every year, this cell provides us with necessary recommendations. We also provide mental health services for inmates. However, there hasn’t been any work on understanding what types of crimes are most common among prisoners, why they occur, or what could have prevented them. This topic has been discussed, though. Currently, we are focused on postings, prison management improvements, security reinforcement, and other urgent matters. Once we streamline these aspects, we will start working on this issue.

Views Bangladesh: Why have you requested the division of prisons into district and metro jails?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: There are two main reasons for this request: security and to prevent individuals awaiting trial from coming into contact with convicted criminals. Most district prisons are located outside district towns or far from the court. This poses a risk when transporting prisoners. In such situations, we want another prison within the city or closer to the court. Moreover, we want to ensure that individuals awaiting trial do not come into contact with convicted criminals and risk being influenced negatively. This is the primary motivation behind the decision.

Views Bangladesh: Many prison staff members have demanded that the prison department be converted into a full-fledged force. How do you view this demand?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: There are fundamental differences between a military force and a service-providing institution. The armed forces—army, navy, and air force—are sworn into service, have special duties, and possess unique skills. On the other hand, service institutions like the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and prison guards provide specific services.

The demand from prison staff to turn the department into a force primarily stemmed from the desire for additional civic benefits, such as rations. I have explained the differences between a force and a service-providing institution, and they have accepted this and withdrawn the demand. However, we are actively considering whether we can introduce a ration system to encourage and motivate prison staff in their work.

Views Bangladesh: What steps have been taken for the skill development of prisoners and their reintegration into society?

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: We want to transform prisons from being punishment centers to correctional facilities. We already have a garment production unit in the prison. The uniforms worn by inmates are made in our prison garment factory. Additionally, prisoners are engaged in various tasks such as furniture making and water purification, which will help them return to work after their sentences are over.

However, being absent from society often disconnects them from the workforce. So, once they are released, they face uncertainty about what to do next. To address this, we are planning to set up a desk that will inform them about current job market demands and trends. Moreover, we are also considering providing them with skill development certificates so they can easily reintegrate into the workforce. We are in contact with the National Skills Development Authority to make this happen.

Views Bangladesh: Thank you for your time.

Brigadier General Syed Motaher Hossain: Thank you as well. I hope that with proper planning, transparency, and dedication, we can improve prison management. I welcome constructive criticism from journalists to help correct any mistakes along the way.