In order to evade detection by jail guards, inmates frequently sneak into prisons with narcotics and small cell phones because most Bangladeshi prisons lack modern equipment.
Prisons Department officials said that modern technological equipment in the country's prisons includes the use of handheld metal detectors, archway metal detectors, luggage scanners, body scanners, CCTV cameras, and mobile phone jammers or blockers.
There is not much of this in the district jail. In the district jail, prisoners or detainees are searched manually. Talking to officials of the Prisons Department, it was learned that out of the total 68 prisons in the country, 13 central prisons have fairly modern technological facilities. However, 55 district prisons do not use much modern technology in prisoner management and security. This makes it difficult to identify whether any illegal goods or materials are being brought in with prisoners or detainees. If modern equipment can be installed in every prison, it is possible to ensure proper security, management and surveillance of prisoners.
Analysts say that in developed countries, all the latest technologies are being used in prison management. Inmates cannot escape from prisons in developed countries. Even though prisoners roam in a very open environment, they do not think of escaping.The main gate of the prison is completely automatic there. The prison's boundary wall is strong, and there are electrical wires connected to the upper part. In addition, the entire prison is closely monitored by CCTV cameras. In many advanced prisons, prisoners in their cells are fitted with digital rings on their feet, which automatically monitor all of the prisoner's movements at all times.On the other hand, none of the 13 central prisons in Bangladesh have body or luggage scanners. As a result, prisoners can often enter with mini mobile phones or drugs through the anus.
When asked about this, Md. Jahangir Kabir, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (DIG Prison-Dhaka Division) told Khabarer Kagoj, "There are several modern technology equipments used in the central prisons of our country. However, district prisons do not have many of those facilities." He said that handheld metal detectors, archway metal detectors, luggage scanners, body scanners are used to search prisoners in all the central prisons of the country. In addition, there are mobile phone jammers. Large prisons are monitored through CCTV cameras. Apart from this, the government has launched a hotline number for relatives to inquire about the news of prisoners this year.
"There are no body and luggage scanners in the district jails. This facility should be available in every jail in the country. If these two machines can be used at the main gate of the prison, then no illegal items will be allowed to enter the prison. Prisoners will not be able to carry illegal items, including mobile phones or drugs, in a special way or through the anus," he added.
Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, former Senior Jail Superintendent of Chittagong Central Jail told Khaborer Kagoj that the more technology is used in prisons, the more security there will be, and the less irregularities and corruption will occur. In addition, prisoner management will also be much easier.
