Who would stop the prison guards?

It is well-known that prison guards often become involved in petty crimes within the confines of the prison. We all have some understanding of the situation surrounding prison guards in Bangladesh. Despite the passage of years and the change of governments, discussions about the irregularities and corruption among these guards continue, yet no substantial changes are noticed. This has become a vicious cycle that seems to be accepted as an unfortunate reality, something we are resigned to. However, when the guards themselves involve in crimes, it becomes even more challenging to eliminate crime from society and the state.

Recently, reports have surfaced revealing the criminal activities of jail guards. On Saturday, December 21, it was reported that prison guards were involved in the supplying drugs and mobile phones. In various prisons across the Chittagong division, guards were accused of supplying drugs and mobile phones to inmates in exchange for money. Over the past year, 44 jail guards have faced punishment for their involvement in these crimes, with five of them losing their jobs.

It has come to light that many prison guards are becoming involved in criminal activities within the prison, driven by the lure of money. The illegal trade of drugs and the use of banned mobile phones in prisons persists without any effective intervention. This ongoing trade is facilitated by a network of collusion between the guards and long-term inmates. As the prison population grows, wealthier prisoners seek comfort by paying for privileges. In these situations, some guards, with the help of senior inmates, provide such comforts in exchange for money. The most prevalent activities include the distribution of drugs (such as marijuana and yaba) and the sale of mobile phones.

Inmates cleverly hide small, expensive phones on their persons. The profits from these transactions are shared between the guards and the senior prisoners. Criminals are sent to prison to serve their sentences, but if they are allowed to live in comfort, what is the purpose of imprisonment? When prisoners continue to engage in criminal activities while incarcerated, it highlights the extent to which crime has permeated society. And this occurs with the direct complicity of the very individuals entrusted with maintaining order—the prison guards. This is a cycle of one crime leading to another.

Sources have revealed that over the past year, 21 prison guards from 11 prisons have faced disciplinary action for various offenses, including drug trafficking, mobile phone distribution, exchanging information with inmates, deceiving prisoners' families, bail trading, and violations of prison discipline. Five guards have been dismissed, while 187 others have received warnings and been cleared of charges. Currently, 39 departmental cases are ongoing against 39 individuals.
During the previous government's tenure, many police officers were involved in criminal activities. Unfortunately, such practices continue in several prisons under the current government as well. We demand the complete eradication of these issues. If prison guards are allowed to engage in such crimes, society will never be free of criminal activity. Mere dismissal is not sufficient; we call for harsher, exemplary punishments for these offenders to ensure that no prison guard dares to participate in such crimes in the future.