Govt considers reducing life sentences, releasing elderly inmates

The interim government is reviewing plans to reduce the 30-year prison term for convicts serving life sentences and may release elderly prisoners under relaxed conditions, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday (September 14).

Speaking after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat, the adviser said women convicts’ sentences could be reduced to 20 years, while men’s terms might remain slightly longer.

The decision is aimed at addressing issues within the prison system, including budget constraints and the need for medicines for elderly and sick inmates.

Jahangir Alam added that the government will carefully assess risks, noting that younger convicts released early could potentially re-offend, while emphasizing a more liberal approach for female prisoners.

The specific age criteria for eligibility have not yet been determined.