Higher number of deaths in prisons of under-trial inmates

Within the four walls of prisons, convicted individuals come to serve the sentences for the crimes they had committed. But when they fall ill there, the highest number of deaths occurs among those whose crimes have not yet even been proven in court.

Statistics show that in recent years, the vast majority of prisoners who died in prison custody were under-trial. All in all, instead of being a safe shelter for prison inmates, prisons have turned into an address of terror. A minor cold or fever, or chest pain—the outcome seems to be the same for everything. Many lives are stopping forever on the way to the hospital.

The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), which works on prison deaths, says that all information on deaths in prison custody is not available to them. They prepare lists by collecting only the information on prisoners who die after being taken to the hospital or whose deaths are reported in the media. According to the organization's data, in the six years from 2020 to 2025, 499 people died in prison custody. And in the first eight months of the current year (January to August), 79 people died. The highest number of deaths occurred in Dhaka Division, and the lowest in Sylhet Division.

ASK's statistics show that more deaths in prison custody occur among under-trial prisoners. And fewer deaths occur among convicted prisoners. Among the 79 prison deaths this year, 47 were under-trial and 32 were convicted; 44 died in Dhaka Division alone. Similarly, in 2025, among 107 prison deaths, 69 were under-trial, 38 were convicted, and 66 prisoners died in Dhaka Division. In 2024, among 65 deaths, 42 were under-trial, 23 were convicted, and 30 were in Dhaka Division. In 2023, among 106 prison deaths, 64 were under-trial, 42 were convicted, and 71 were in Dhaka Division. In 2022, among 65 deaths, 37 were under-trial, 24 were convicted, and 36 were in Dhaka Division. In 2021, among 81 deaths, 52 were under-trial, 29 were convicted, and 41 were in Dhaka Division. In 2020, among 75 prison deaths, 45 were under-trial, 30 were convicted, and 39 died in Dhaka. The observation of this human rights organization says that more deaths in prison custody occur among under-trial prisoners. Fewer deaths occur among convicted prisoners. Due to the absence of specialist doctors around the clock and the distance to hospitals, prisoners are put at risk. Especially due to not receiving treatment in time, prisoners suffering from heart disease remain at the highest risk.

According to crime experts, convicted prisoners can adapt to prison life; but under-trial prisoners break down under mental stress. The anxiety of being separated from loved ones and the lengthy nature of the trial process make them even more cornered. Newly detained prisoners, especially those detained due to political vendetta or trivial incidents, are mainly the ones who suffer more mental trauma. Added to that is the negligence of not receiving treatment on time. All in all, under-trial prisoners gradually wear away and move toward untimely death.

Human rights activists say that every incident of death in prison custody must have an independent and impartial investigation. There is no scope to evade responsibility by calling it a routine "natural death" or "heart attack."

Parash Talukder (35). He was a prisoner at the Central Jail in Keraniganj, Dhaka. When he suddenly fell ill on September 26, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital. Although he could not be saved, doctors declared him dead after he was brought to DMCH. Parash was a prisoner in three cases filed at Paltan Model Police Station in Dhaka on charges of obstructing government work, illegal assembly, and involvement in rioting. The family claims that he died due to torture in prison.

However, the prison guard who brought him to the hospital said at the time that the prisoner Parash died after being brought to the hospital when he suddenly fell ill.
On the Same Day, Khairul Amin Ruhul Sarkar (50), a prisoner in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Died in Kishoreganj Prison

Khairul Amin Ruhul Sarkar (50), a leader of the Awami Swechchhasebak League whose activities have been banned, was a prisoner in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. When he suddenly developed chest pain and breathing difficulties while in prison, he was taken to the hospital. There, doctors declared him dead. Khairul was the former joint convener of the Kotiadi Upazila Swechchhasebak League in the district.

Family members claim that although they were told he would be taken to DMCH Hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment as his physical condition deteriorated, he was taken to Dhaka after about four hours. Even after being taken there, he was not given proper treatment. Although he reported chest pain for three days, the prison authorities did not arrange the necessary treatment. However, according to the Kishoreganj prison authorities, Khairul was quickly taken to the hospital when he developed chest pain and breathing difficulties. He died while undergoing treatment at the National Heart Foundation and Hospital. It is not just one or two such incidents—one could say deaths in prison custody are occurring almost every day. In the last three months, information on at least 37 prison deaths in the country's prisons has been highlighted in the quarterly (July-September) monitoring report of the human rights organization Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). Among them, 23 were under-trial and 14 were convicted. Among the dead, five were Awami League leaders and activists, and 32 were ordinary prisoners.

In June, Rashed Mazumder (pseudonym) was serving his sentence in Manikganj District Jail while ill. According to him, even though he was ill as a prisoner, he did not receive medical care. Only those who are seriously ill are given primary treatment. Besides this, prisoners do not receive any service without paying money. Generally, for fever and cold, low-quality medicine is available.

Dhaka University teacher and crime expert Dr. Tauhidul Haque said the reasons for more deaths among under-trial prisoners are anxiety and mental breakdown. According to him, those who are long-term prisoners or have served prison time repeatedly, or who are convicted, have adapted to prison life. But prisoners who are new or who are serving time without having committed any serious crime break down mentally. Prisoners who become accused after being victims of political vendetta or conspiracy are the ones dying more.

Even higher statistics of prison deaths have emerged in the data of the Prisons Directorate. In the five years from 2021 to 2025, 1,413 prisoners died in various prisons in the country. Among them, 49 were women and 1,364 were men. On average, 283 prisoners died per year. According to Prisons Directorate statistics, 24 prisoners are dying in prison custody per month. Among them, 496 died on the way from prison to the hospital, which is 35.10 percent of total deaths.

Prisons Directorate media officer Md. Masud Hasan Jewel told Agamir Somoy, "The number of prisoners in the country's 75 prisons is more than one lakh. Often, prisoners die after falling ill in one prison or another. Most die of heart disease. Besides this, deaths also occur due to fever and cold, diabetes, high blood pressure, and various other illnesses. If anyone becomes seriously ill, they are taken to the hospital, and they also die there."

According to one prison guard, most accused persons returning from remand come to prison in an ill condition. Then, within a few days, some of them die. However, the police deny allegations of torture in custody. The prison authorities claim that there is no opportunity for torture of prisoners inside the prison.

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton pointed out several reasons for prison deaths. He said, "Mental stress due to delays in justice, inter-social status pressure, prisoners several times the capacity, and not receiving immediate and timely treatment for heart attacks and other serious illnesses at night are reasons for prison deaths. Besides this, the method of interrogation in police custody after arrest—that is, beatings or torture—causes their deaths."

According to him, the prison authorities always give routine statements about prison deaths. They use the narrative of "natural death" or "heart attack." Whether someone dies in prison custody or police custody—proper investigations into these deaths must be made mandatory.

Saying that when an ordinary prisoner in prison becomes ill, the matter is not taken seriously at the primary stage, Nur Khan Liton said, "When they become critically ill, then the rush begins. Besides this, genuinely ill patients do not get a place in the hospital. Here, those who have money easily receive medical care."

Deaths in Prison Custody: According to Prisons Directorate data, in 2025, 187 people died in prison custody. Among them, 136 died while undergoing treatment. 51 died on the way to the hospital while ill. The previous year, 318 people died in prison custody. Among them, 189 died while undergoing treatment. 129 died on the way to the hospital while ill. In 2023, 375 people died in prison custody. Among them, 232 died while undergoing treatment. 143 died on the way to the hospital while ill. In 2022, 223 people died in prison custody. Among them, 139 died while undergoing treatment. 84 died on the way to the hospital. In 2021, 300 people died. Among them, 205 died while undergoing treatment. 95 died on the way to the hospital. Besides this, in the last 5 years, 7 people committed suicide in prison; among them, 6 were men and 1 was a woman. And three died in the prison hospital.

Lack of Treatment in Prisons: There are allegations of a crisis in medical services, negligence, and a severe shortage of emergency treatment in the country's prisons. When asked, Prisons Directorate official Masud Hasan said, "It is true that there are some deficiencies in medical services in prisons. But if any prisoner falls ill, they are given the highest level of care. They are quickly taken to the hospital. Arrangements for advanced treatment are also made."

Upon inquiry, it was learned that the Prisons Directorate has 151 approved posts for doctors. But currently, only two are working. One of them is on duty at Manikganj Central Jail, and the other at the Rajshahi Prison Training Center. 87 doctors from various government hospitals come at scheduled times and provide medical care to prisoners for about two hours every day. Against 13 approved posts for lab technicians, only five are working. Against 101 approved posts for diploma nurses, there are 31. Besides this, out of 75 prisons in the country, only 23 have ambulances. Therefore, in many cases, sick prisoners have to be taken to the hospital by alternative means.

Deputy Inspector General (Health) of the Prisons Directorate, Lt. Col. Mohammad Akhtar Hasib Dewan, admitted that there is a shortage of specialist doctors, manpower, and adequate ambulances in the prisons. He said, "Because there are no regular doctors, modern medical equipment also cannot be used. If the shortage of doctors and manpower is filled, there could be a change in the medical care of prisoners. In that case, the number of deaths in prison custody due to illness would also decrease."