The two central jails have closed-circuit cameras, mobile phone frequency jammers and round-the-clock security check-up but nothing can stop top criminals from contacting the outside world.
They maintain liaison with their accomplices by using secret codes and cell phones to control the underworld even from behind bars.
They are extorting, dealing in arms business and even killing people without facing any charge through their middlemen called “contract killer”.
Most of the hired killers come from young age group and the deal is cut in exchange for a hefty amount, sources from the underworld criminals and intelligence officials said.
The top criminals manage everything in connivance with a section of dishonest officials and security guard officials in both central jails – Dhaka Central Jail and Kashimpur Central Jail.
In recent times the country has witnessed a sharp rise in criminal activities especially murders and most cases killers are hired.
The law enforcers found involvement of “contract killers” in the murder of tannery trader Sattar in the capital's Hazaribagh area on December 14.
RAB came to know that top criminal Emon, staying in jail masterminded the murder and the plan was executed by a hired goon in a bid to take control of extortion business in Hazaribagh tannery industry.
Lt Col Masud Rana, commanding officer of RAB-2, said they got the information of involvement of top criminal Emon while investigating the case.
They are now keeping an eye on Emon's accomplices to trace out the entire racket, added Lt Col Masud.
In June this year, some contract killers attempted on the life of former president of Chhatra League and Awami League leader Enamul Haque Shamim.
One of the killers was 19-year-old Mehedi Hossain Saikat.
The interesting part is that he was hired by top criminal Ashiq's close associate Monir. Monir made the deal with Saikat only for Tk5,500. He was given only Tk500 in advance to kill Shamim.
The information was unearthed after the arrest of Saikat.
On may 15 this year assailants killed Water Development Board contractor Sultan Ahmed. Police said two contract killers participated in the killing mission.
Sanowar Hossain, additional deputy commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) of Police, however said use of contract killers in killing and other criminal activities is not something new.
Due to massive crackdown many top criminals were caught and now behind bars while some others escaped out of the country, he said.
“Contract killing came to a cease but once again it has sprouted and surprisingly most of the killers are aged between 18 and 24,” he said.
Not only Emon other top criminals like Khandokar Nayem Ahmed Titon, Sohel alias Freedom Sohel, Khorshed Alam alias Rashu, Abbas alias Killer Abbas, Kamal Pasha alias Pasha, Arman, Moshiur Rhaman Kochi and Imamum Hossain Helal alias Picchi Helal are too allegedly hiring killers to establish their supremacy in their respective hunting grounds.
A member of underworld gang said they used to pass cell phones into the jail by managing the security guards of the prison.
Criminals inside the jail put the phone in a condom tied to a piece of rope and then hide it in the toilet cistern, he said.
Cell phones are also kept inside a television or radio set or in a packet of biscuit,” says the gang leader requesting anonymity.
“Sometimes they exchange information by using code word on a chit as they are brought out of the jail to appear before a court, he said while talking to this correspondent over cell phone from abroad.
A couple of months back there was a huge reshuffle in the jails across the country based on reports of negligence in duty.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also formed a committee with high officials to stop such offences inside jails.
The committee has already submitted its recommendations to the authorities concerned.
The report suggested that use of cell phones be stopped in jails and instead it advised the jail authorities to set up phone booths at every jail.
The report went so far as to advise the authorities to completely stop cell phone frequency in the area.
Brig Gen Sayed Iftekhar Uddin, inspector general of prison, however denied that criminals communicate with their accomplices over mobile phone staying inside jails.
The jails have strict laws and vigilance in place and there is no way of doing such things, he said.