690 fugitive prisoners yet to be rearrested

A total of 1,557 of the 2,247 prisoners who escaped from jails across the country have been rearrested and returned to different prisons, while 690 remain at large.

In Narsingdi, 660 of the 826 escaped prisoners have been rearrested, while 166 remain fugitives.

Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Md. Motaher Hossain disclosed the information while briefing the media at the old Dhaka Central Jail in the capital on Tuesday (August 18).

Asked about drug infiltration into prisons and the alleged involvement of jail officials, the IG Prisons said the prison authorities have adopted a “zero tolerance” policy against drugs and financial crimes.

He said 21 prison officials had been sent into forced retirement and 82 others dismissed from their jobs over the past two years for their involvement in drug-related and other criminal activities.

Departmental cases have also been filed against 870 officials in connection with such offences, he said.

Besides, 303 officials were transferred through administrative action for their involvement in minor irregularities, Motaher Hossain added.

He further said that if any prison official is found involved in drug-related offences, the person is handed over to police after a criminal case is filed.