October 14, 2002	Monday	Sha'aban 7, 1423

DHAKA, Oct 13: The Cabinet Committee on Jail Reforms resolved on Saturday to bring down the number of prisoners in the country’s overcrowded jails by releasing some categories of inmates.

The cabinet committee has decided to consider exemption of charges against the under-trial prisoners detained for minor offences, who already have suffered imprisonment for such a period that would have been equal to or nearer their punishment on completion of trial, cabinet sources said

According to a government study released in 2001, as many as 64,890 prisoners were in jails having a capacity of holding 24,538 inmates. The number of inmates has increased this year.