Bangladesh frees 1,000 prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails

DHAKA - Bangladesh has freed nearly 1,000 prisoners to ease pressure on the country’s crammed jails.

The nation’s 67 prisons currently accommodate three times their capacity, with 77,000 prisoners in facilities designed for a maximum of 28,000 people.

The Telegraph quoted Bangladesh Home Secretary Iqbal Khan Chowdhury, as saying: “We have drawn up a list of nearly 1,000 well-behaved prisoners who have already served 20 years and will release them to ease overcrowding in our jails.”

Prison authorities said that overcrowded jails are a cause for the spread of contagious diseases and medical facilities.

Government officials said prisoners convicted of terrorism-related crimes or crimes against the state would not be released. (ANI)