The number of inmates in Chittagong Central Jail has significantly decreased.
In the past month, the prison population dropped by around 1,800. Although an average of 50 prisoners are released on bail each day, around 20 new inmates are admitted daily for various offenses.
According to Chittagong Central Jail sources, as of Thursday, the prison housed 3,476 inmates.
Among them, 948 were convicts and 2,528 were under trial. The total included 3,303 men and 173 women.
A month earlier, on August 5, the number of inmates stood at 5,277.
There are 33 police stations in Chittagong, 16 in the metropolitan area and 17 in the district.
After the fall of the Awami regime on August 5, several police stations in the city and district were attacked by agitated groups, who looted weapons and ammunition and set fire to police stations and buildings.
Since then, police activities have been severely disrupted. While officers have returned to their posts, operations such as drug seizures and the arrest of individuals with warrants have slowed down.
Currently, Chittagong jail, which has a capacity of 2,249, holds 546 inmates serving life sentences—521 men and 25 women.
There are 176 inmates sentenced to death, including 172 men and 4 women.
Additionally, there are 29 children living in the jail with their mothers, 13 boys and 16 girls. There are also six foreign inmates, three of whom are convicted.
Senior Jail Superintendent Mohammad Manjur Hossain said: "The number of inmates in Chittagong Jail has decreased significantly. Over the past month, the prison population has reduced by around 1,800. As a result, the remaining inmates now have more freedom to move and sleep comfortably."
At a press conference on Thursday, Chittagong District Police Superintendent Rayhan Uddin Khan said: "Since August 5, the police have been going through a kind of trauma. We are working to restore morale. Although officers have returned to work, operations have not fully regained momentum. Twelve police station officers-in-charge (OC) have already been withdrawn, and more will follow. Additionally, many officers in different roles will also be transferred."
