Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Bangladesh Prisons Face Severe Overcrowding and Health Crisis
Bangladesh’s prisons are holding more than twice as many people as they were designed for.
This means many prisoners live in crowded and unhealthy conditions.
There are not enough doctors, nurses or ambulances to care for them.
One large prison has nearly 14,000 inmates but only two attached doctors.
Many prisoners have died, including 187 last year and 122 so far this year.
The report also said some prisoners may be jailed because of mistaken identity, false charges or long court delays.
It said people who can pay unofficial fees may receive better food or sleeping spaces.
The report urged the government to investigate the causes and improve healthcare, food, sanitation and living conditions.
Bangladesh’s 75 prisons hold 98,233 inmates despite a combined capacity of 45,186.
Dhaka Central Jail has 13,958 inmates but only two attached doctors and no permanent physician.
Only two of 151 sanctioned prison-doctor posts nationwide have been filled.
Prisons also face shortages of nurses and ambulances; 187 prisoners died last year and 122 have died this year so far.
The report called for investigations into overcrowding, potentially unlawful arrests, lengthy trials, false charges and inadequate access to bail or legal representation.
- Who
- Bangladesh’s prison authorities, inmates and government officials are involved; the report also cites Bangladesh’s Home Minister and The Daily Star.
- What
- The country’s prison system is facing severe overcrowding, inadequate healthcare and broader human-rights concerns.
- When
- The report says 187 prisoners died last year and 122 have died so far this year; it also cites mass jailings during June-July this year.
- Where
- Across Bangladesh’s 75 prisons, including Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.
- Why
- Overcrowding is linked to arrests, lengthy trials, denial of bail, false charges and other unresolved problems, while prison medical and support services remain severely understaffed.
- Number of prisons
- 75 prisons across Bangladesh
- Combined capacity
- 45,186 inmates
- Current prison population
- 98,233 inmates
- Dhaka Central Jail population
- 13,958 inmates
- National doctor staffing
- Two of 151 sanctioned prison-doctor posts are filled
- Reported prisoner deaths
- 187 last year and 122 so far this year
- June-July jailings
- More than 26,000 people were sent to jail by mobile courts