Cox's Bazar District Jail remarked as Drug free and disciplined

Cox's Bazar District Jail is in a strong position to make inmates an orderly, drug-free and better life. The Jail Superintendent Md. has confirmed 100% clean and accountable service by leaving behind various irregularities, complaints and corruption. Shah Alam Khan along with that, the prison guards are also on alert. Various disciplines and strict surveillance have been increased inside and outside the prison. Those concerned act as per Jail Rules for reformation of prisoners.

Cox's Bazar District Jail, which was inaugurated in 2001, was supposed to house 866 male and 34 female prisoners, but currently there are about 3,270 prisoners in the jail. Which is about 4 times more than the capacity. There are now 155 women prisoners, 32 children, and 3,83 men. There are also more than 600 Rohingyas. Meanwhile, the prison guards also have to struggle to cope with the pressure of additional prisoners. Still, they are serving the prisoners day and night out of a sense of responsibility and duty.

Keeping the slogan 'Keep safe, show the way to light', the pace of work inside and outside the prison has been increased to fulfill it. Ensuring 100% benefits as per rules for prisoners. Jail monitoring has been increased to maintain peace and order in jails, good medical treatment for sick prisoners, food at fair prices in canteens, round-the-clock supervision, supply of clean drinking water, serving quality food, sewage system, above all, the jail authorities are working to meet the basic needs of people. Also, prison authorities are working in a strict position to prevent drugs. The concerned are working in a very careful position so that the drug dealers cannot create chaos inside the prison.

Talked with Abdur Rahman, son of Sabbir Ahmed of Chakmarkul area of Ramur, at the main gate of the prison on Thursday afternoon. He spent 20 consecutive days in jail as a prisoner after he was arrested in a case related to dowry demand. He was released from jail after getting bail from the court on Wednesday.

He said about the prison life of 20 days, the environment is like his own house. What people have heard about the prison, it is not the same in reality. I was in a fairly good environment.

Abdur Rahman also said that there was an orderly and routine life. Quality food including the facilities of talking 8-10 minutes by mobile phone one day in a week at Rs 1 per minute talk with family and relatives. Once in 15 days the relatives come and meet in the prison. To be able to purchase necessary goods inside the prison by showing the money card deposited in the PC given by the relatives. A good time was had by all. Also every day Super Sir Shah Alam looked after everything. And used to speak earnestly to the prisoners in a sweet voice. He wanted to know the pros and cons of the prisoners.

At the same time, Babul (30), son of Mostak Ahmad of North Sheelkhali area of Teknaf, was released on bail from prison. He was released on Tuesday after a month-and-a-half in jail in a fight-related case.

He said that there has been a lot of improvement in terms of distribution of ward, treatment and distribution of medicines for the stay of prisoners in the jail. Promotion of education and entertainment programs on large LED screens inside prisons has resulted in positive changes in the mental state of inmates. Earlier there was no price list of food in the canteen, now there is a price list.

In this way, several people from Maheshkhali, Qutubdia, Ukhia, Teknaf and Chakriya who have just come out of prison have been spoken to. All confirmed the same information as Rahman and Babul.

According to prison sources, Cox's Bazar district prison is running in a completely fair, beautiful and well-planned manner. Cash transactions are completely closed over here. If the relatives of the prisoner deposit the money in the PC in the form of a receipt, the PC card is delivered to the prisoner after the money is deposited. By using the card, inmates can purchase goods by looking at the price list displayed in the canteen. Meanwhile, the jail authorities have complained that for a long time, some vested interest groups have been engaged in purposeful propaganda against the Cox's Bazar District Jail. Jail authorities have alleged that they have chosen this method to gain advantage in a circular strategy.

Superintendent of Cox's Bazar District Jail. Shah Alam Khan said, we are working to restore order in the prison with the cooperation of all, despite the prisoners being almost 4 times more than the capacity and insufficient manpower. Recreation rooms and entertainment materials for children are available with the help of international organization ICRC. Besides, these children are being provided education, adequate food supply including milk twice a day. Apart from this, project work is also going on in prisons under the same organization for drinking water.

He said, I take the initiative to solve any problem by talking to the prisoners through regular prison visits. Provision of supplies to inmates is made by regularly ensuring proper quality of food and monitoring weight.

Also, initiatives are taken to be transparent when talking on mobile phones and meeting relatives. The names of the bailed prisoners are published daily through LED display in front of the jail gate to prevent any harassment of release on bail. As a result, the inactivity of a class of fraudsters on bail has stopped. Large televisions and canteens are provided in the visitor's restroom next to the gate for the entertainment of those who visit the jail.

He also said that there is transparency, accountability and good governance in all the work of officials and prisoners