Govt to soon build first open prison: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said the government will soon start construction of the country’s first open prison facility to help reintegrate criminals with the society.

He said this during a question and answer session of the National Parliament on Thursday.

The government has already procured a 160-acre land in Ukhiya upazila, Cox’s Bazar for the prison facility, the home minister said. 

Open prisons allow inmates to stay out of incarcerations and take part in activities like a normal citizen. Inmates can earn livelihood under minimal supervision of authorities, and also actively participate in different kinds of sports.

The country’s first open prison system will be modeled after Malaysia’s Community Rehabilitation Programme, Asaduzzaman said in response to a question by Noakhali-3 lawmaker Mamunur Rashid Kiron.