DHAKA: Sweeping reforms planned for Bangladesh’s prisons will be the most far-reaching in the country’s history and transform many prisoners’ lives, an official said on Tuesday.

Parole will be introduced for the first time under the planned changes, while hard labour, such as stone breaking, and the chaining of prisoners for minor disciplinary offences will be abolished.

Prisoners will also be given soap, mosquito nets and extra rice rations. They will get access to dentists and welfare officers and be offered the opportunity to learn new skills while behind bars. Ceiling fans and televisions are to be installed in all prisons.

“These reforms will make prisons more humane and better places for prisoners,” Inspector General of Prisons Zakir Hassan told AFP.

“Previously, prisons were more like punishment centres. Now with these reforms, we are bringing the modern age to our jails,” he said.

In particular, he said, strict restrictions would be placed on the use of chains.

“No jailor will be able to put a prisoner in chains for more than seven days and if they do so they will have to seek permission and have a very strong reason,” Hassan added.

The reforms, approved by a cabinet committee last week, are the result of a three-year government taskforce. Formal approval by the full cabinet is expected within a few weeks.

Bangladesh’s jails, built for half the current prison population of 71,000, are notorious for unsanitary conditions and overcrowding.

The last major reform of the country’s prison system was in 1920 during British colonial rule of the subcontinent.—AFP