Dhaka, Nov 05 – Although jails across the country are overflowing with prisoners but the authorities concerned could not ensure proper treatment for the inmates due to the lack of doctors as only 10 physicians against 141 posts are now working for the total 68 jails. In a report submitted by the Inspector General (IG) of Prison before the High Court, yesterday said that only 10 doctors are working for the total 68 prisons across the country while 131 posts are lying vacant.
The report also said that till August 27 a total of 86, 998 prisoners are staying in jails across the country against its accommodation capacity of 40, 668 inmates.
Though the authorities concerned of the government had on January 28 in 2018 appointed 20 physicians on deputation for the jails but only 4 physicians joined in line with their appointment while 16 are yet to join till the date.
IG (prison) Brig Gen AKM Mostafa Kamal Pasha submitted the report through Deputy Attorney General Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar before the HC following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md JR Khan Robin on February 19 this year seeking necessary order for the recruitment of physicians.
After receiving the report, the HC bench comprising Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader asked the deputy attorney general to inform it by next Monday why the 16 doctors, out of 20, have not joined the post.
The bench also fixed November 11 for further hearing and its order on the petition.
Barrister KM Mahbubuddin Khokon and Advocate Shammi Akter appeared for the writ petitioners.
Earlier on June 23, the same bench of the HC asked the inspector general of prisons to submit the list of vacant post of physicians at all prisons across the country within six weeks.
The HC also wants to know the receptivity of the accused in prisons, the number of prisoners and physicians of the prisons across the country.
It also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the ineffectiveness of the authorities concerned to ensure the standard accommodation for the prisoners should not be declared illegal.
It also asked the government to explain why the inability of the authorities concerned to fill the vacant posts of the physicians to ensure medical services to the prisoners should not be declared illegal.
Secretaries to the law, health, social welfare, public administration ministries, director-general of the Director-General of Health Services, and inspector general of prisons were made respondent to the rule which is returnable in four weeks.
In line with the HC directive, the IG prison yesterday submitted the report before the HC bench. The HC bench will pass its order on November 11 in this regard. – Staff Reporter
