Staff Reporter:
The government is set to soon start construction of the country’s first open prison facility to help reintegrate criminals with the society, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Thursday at the National Parliament.
The government has already procured a 160-acre land in Ukhiya upazila, Cox’s Bazar for the prison facility, the home minister said during a question and answer session of the parliament.
The world’s first open prison was built in England in 17th century, and till date many more have been constructed around the world as mean to better rehabilitate people committing mostly minor offences.
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.
