File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 17, 2026 (BSS) – Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today informed Parliament that the country’s 75 prisons are currently holding inmates at 1.7 times their approved capacity.

He disclosed the information while responding to a starred question tabled by NCP lawmaker Md. Abul Hasnat from Cumilla-4 constituency.

The minister said that according to data available as of June 7, the total approved capacity of the country’s 75 prisons is 45,136 inmates, including 43,107 men and 2,029 women. Against this capacity, a total of 77,040 inmates are currently being held, comprising 74,036 male and 2,077 female prisoners.

He said the overcrowding has created accommodation problems for inmates in several prisons across the country.

To address the situation, Salahuddin said the government has already opened the Special Central Jail in Keraniganj, Sylhet Central Jail-2, Feni District Jail-2 and Khulna District Jail-2. 
“In addition, Kishoreganj District Jail-2, Madaripur District Jail-2 and Pirojpur District Jail-2 are expected to become operational soon,” he added.

The Home Minister further informed the House that reconstruction works are underway at Mymensingh, Cumilla and Jamalpur prisons, while construction of a new prison in Narsingdi is also in progress.

Upon completion of these four projects, prison capacity will increase by another 2,955 inmates, raising the total capacity to 48,131, he said.

Besides, projects have been undertaken to reconstruct prisons in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Noakhali, Rangamati and Khagrachhari, which will further enhance accommodation capacity once implemented.