Bangladesh’s prisons are holding more than twice their combined capacity. Although the prisons can accommodate around 46,000 inmates, the current prison population has exceeded 100,000. Of them, nearly 68,000 are awaiting trial, accounting for around 67 percent of the total prison population. This large number of people kept in prison for long periods before being convicted is putting pressure on accommodation, food, healthcare, sanitation and security arrangements. The densely populated conditions are also increasing the risk of the spread of infectious and other diseases.

The combined capacity of the country’s 75 prisons is 45,186 inmates, according to data from the Department of Prisons, while they currently hold 102,180 prisoners. Of them, 68,330 are awaiting trial, and 33,687 are convicted prisoners. The number of people awaiting trial was 61,367 in 2022, 57,700 in 2023, 55,000 in 2024 and 59,000 in 2025.

People involved in prison management say prisons are primarily meant to serve sentences imposed on convicted criminals. But if a large number of people awaiting trial remain detained for long periods, it places abnormal pressure on the entire prison system. The crisis should not be viewed solely as a problem for the Department of Prisons; rather, it needs to be considered a broader, systemic problem involving investigations, prosecution and the judiciary. Healthcare is also bearing the greatest pressure from the overcrowding. The number of doctors and nurses, as well as supplies of medicines and hospital beds, is inadequate compared with the prison population.

At least 61 people died in prison custody during the first six months of this year, according to Department of Prisons figures. Of them, 37 were awaiting trial. Those concerned say the health risks faced by prisoners are increasing as overcrowding makes it difficult to ensure necessary healthcare. Elderly, sick and long-term detainees are particularly vulnerable.

Nur Khan Liton, a member of the inquiry commission on enforced disappearances and a human rights activist, believes it is not possible to ensure human rights in prisons when they are overcrowded. He told Bonik Barta: “The prison authorities are responsible for looking after inmates. Under the law, they are responsible for ensuring everything from a prisoner’s accommodation to a hygienic environment. But whenever prisons hold far more inmates than their capacity, prisoners naturally don’t receive the facilities they are entitled to. This is a violation of human rights. We have to move away from this situation. The rights and entitlements of all prisoners must be ensured.”

Analysts believe steps need to be taken to expedite the investigation and trial of cases that have remained pending for a long time, consider alternative measures in bailable and less serious cases, and reduce unnecessary detention. It is particularly essential to reduce the prison population by resolving cases that have been pending against detainees for years as quickly as possible.

On the issue, Dr Tawohidul Haque, an associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka and a criminologist, told Bonik Barta: “The minimum rights guaranteed to prisoners are being overlooked because of overcrowding. The country’s judicial process is protracted, and the various steps to complete investigations and other judicial proceedings are being delayed. This is having an impact on the prisons.”

Lt Col Mohammad Akhtar Hasib Dewan, deputy inspector general (health) of the Department of Prisons, believes overcrowding can create various health risks in prisons. He told Bonik Barta: “In particular, when a large number of inmates are confined in a limited space, the risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, cholera and measles spreading among them increases. The risk of skin diseases also rises. When prisons hold more inmates than their capacity, it becomes difficult to ensure necessary healthcare for everyone.”