The highest number of inmates is in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rajshahi jails, while fewer inmates than capacity are found in the prisons of Khulna, Sylhet, and Rangpur. This information has been obtained from sources within the Department of Prisons.

The Department of Prisons reports that the current capacity of the country’s prisons is 42,887 inmates. In contrast, there are 52,000 inmates in the jails. Among them, 35,333 are awaiting trial. The highest number of inmates is in the Dhaka division, with 16,900 inmates against a capacity of 13000. Following Dhaka, Chattogram ranks second, with 11,000 inmates against a capacity of 6,950. Rajshahi division holds the third highest number of inmates, with 8,000 against a capacity of 4,180. Additionally, in the Barisal division, there are 2,100 inmates against a capacity of 2,000, and in Mymensingh, there are 2,500 inmates against a capacity of 1,800.

After taking office, the new Inspector General of Prisons, Brigadier General Syed Md Motaher Hossain, reported that during the political upheaval caused by the student and public uprising, many government institutions responsible for law and order throughout the country suffered infrastructure damage. The Department of Prisons was no exception. Security was compromised in several prisons, and over 2000 inmates escaped. There were also incidents of ammunition theft from some jails. During the escape, several inmates died, and many prison officials and guards were seriously injured. Two prisons suffered significant damage due to arson and extensive vandalism, and the residences of many prison officials were heavily affected. However, with the immediate assistance of the army, the prison department managed to secure other prisons.

Three divisions have fewer inmates than their capacity. In the Khulna division, there are 4,500 inmates against a capacity of 5000. The Rangpur division has 3,500 inmates against a capacity of 5,179. The Sylhet division has 3,500 inmates against a capacity of 4,482.

When asked, Assistant Inspector General of Prisons (Development) Mohammad Jannat-ul-Farhad told Bonik Barta, “Currently, several prisons have fewer inmates than their capacity. Conversely, some prisons have more inmates than their capacity. However, it is common for prisons in the country to have more inmates than capacity. This is the first time some prisons have fewer inmates than their capacity.”

Before the upheaval, on July 31, the total number of inmates in the country’s prisons was 79,162, of which 59,665 were awaiting trial. On June 16, the total number of inmates in the country’s prisons was 63,180, with 44,845 detainees.

After the students' anti-discrimination movement began, a record number of detainees were housed in the country’s prisons within two years. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 due to the uprising of students and the public, there was chaos in several prisons, with inmates engaging in attacks and vandalism in some facilities. In such a situation, over 2000 inmates escaped, including those sentenced to death, life imprisonment, and various terms, as well as those awaiting trial.

Regarding this, Additional Inspector General of Prisons Colonel Sheikh Sujaur Rahman told Bonik Barta, “Currently, there are slightly more inmates in the prisons than their capacity. However, the situation is not the same in all prisons. Some prisons have significantly fewer inmates than their capacity. The number of inmates awaiting trial has decreased in the prisons.”