When Bandarban District Jail was established as a sub-jail in 1986, it was designed to accommodate 114 inmates. Nearly four decades later, the facility is holding almost five times its intended capacity, putting its limited infrastructure and basic services under growing strain.
A total of 557 inmates -- 475 awaiting trial and 82 convicted prisoners -- were being held there till yesterday morning, according to jail authorities.
The extent of the space crunch was evident during a visit to the jail yesterday. Inmates were confined to cramped rooms with little room for movement or privacy, while facilities built for a much smaller population are now being shared by several times the number they were designed to accommodate.
Manzurul Islam, acting superintendent of Bandarban District Jail, said the facility was holding roughly five times its capacity.
“Accommodation meant for 25 people is being used by around 110 inmates,” he said.
The jail currently houses people accused or convicted in a wide range of cases, including Myanmar and Indian nationals, murder suspects, leaders and activists of banned organisations, and members of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). Jail authorities, however, could not provide a breakdown of inmates by case or nationality.
The pressure is also being felt in sanitation and healthcare. Inmates have to share limited bathroom facilities, while poor ventilation and excessive heat add to their discomfort. Some are suffering from skin diseases and other health problems, Manzurul said.
Touhidul Anwar, resident medical officer at Bandarban Sadar Hospital, said such overcrowding significantly increases the risk of infectious diseases.
“When too many people stay in the same room, unhygienic conditions naturally develop. They also have to share bathrooms, which further increases health risks,” he said. Infectious diseases such as measles, tuberculosis and scabies can spread more easily in such conditions, he added.
The lack of personal space is also fuelling tensions inside the jail. According to jail sources, minor disagreements can escalate into arguments, scuffles and physical fights, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to maintain order.
The situation is particularly worrying for younger inmates. Manzurul said incidents of sexual abuse involving younger inmates had occurred inside the jail and that a young inmate was recently allegedly sexually assaulted.
“Such matters are usually solved within the jail,” he said.
He also said the lack of adequate accommodation was contributing to conflicts and disorder among inmates.
The conditions have raised concerns among local rights activists about whether the existing facility can adequately protect inmates’ health, safety and dignity.
Aung Chaw Mong Marma, president of the Bandarban District Corruption Prevention Committee and a human rights activist, said housing four to five times more inmates than the jail was designed to accommodate posed serious health and security risks.
“Prisoners have the right to adequate accommodation, healthcare and basic services. If these rights cannot be ensured because of overcrowding, arrangements should be made to transfer some inmates to other prisons,” he said.
He urged the National Human Rights Commission to visit the jail and assess its accommodation, healthcare and security arrangements. He also called for a new building or expansion of the existing facility.
Responding to the concerns, Md Chagir Miya, deputy inspector general (DIG) of prisons for the Chattogram division, said the Bandarban jail superintendent had sent him a letter seeking expansion of the facility and construction of a modern building.
After receiving the letter, Chagir Miya inspected the district jail and forwarded his observations and recommendations to higher authorities.
Manzurul confirmed that the request was made in view of the accommodation crisis and the overall security situation.
