Authorities in Bangladesh freed 1,000 prisoners serving life sentences to ease the pressure on overcrowded jails on Thursday.
Inmates in 67 prisons — including those serving multiple sentences for crimes such as murder — were told the news on the eve of their release, after government instructions to free long-serving prisoners.
“I was working in the ward when they made an announcement over the microphone and my name was read out,” said Rishikesh, 50, a prisoner at Dhaka central jail, who had served 12 years of a 30-year sentence for murder. “I asked the prison officials again and again if it was true. I couldn’t sleep at night thinking I was going to be out today. My daughter was only two when I went inside — my family don’t even know I’m out. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get there.”
The move — described by prison officials as the biggest release in Bangladesh’s history — was ordered by the office of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to drive down prisoner numbers. About 77,000 prisoners are held in Bangladesh in facilities designed for a maximum of 28,000 people. Prison reformers say overcrowding spreads diseases such as tuberculosis and that medical facilities are overstretched.
Inmates who had served 20 years of a life sentence — a 30-year term in Bangladesh — or who had been of good behavior were freed. Those convicted of terrorist offenses or crimes against the state remain behind bars, according to prison sources.
Many prisoners were released without any restrictions.
“After 17 years, I am completely free,” said Milon Bhalu, 45, who was serving 30 years for poisoning her husband’s second wife. “I was imprisoned because of a conspiracy against me and now I can’t even recognize my own family. My life has been given back to me now, after all these years.”
Family members waited at prison gates as the releases began.
Koli Ali, 26, who was waiting for her cousin, Abdul Majid, said: “When the prison officials phoned us last night and said our brother would be released today, we cried with joy and started praying to thank Allah. He was only 12 when he was sent to jail — they accused him of murder. He’s been inside for 14 years. His mother and father both died while he was inside. Now he’s coming back to us, we can take care of him again.”
Prison officials drew up a list of prisoners eligible for release, which was vetted by the home ministry.
Bangladeshi Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder said prisoners who had been behind bars for more than 20 years would be freed as reformed characters.
“A man who commits an offense, if they’ve been inside for 20 years, this is enough. I can’t say what they’re going to do next — that’s up to them,” he said.
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