In a move offering a second chance to long-term and mostly elderly inmates, jail authorities have remitted the sentences of 37 elderly prisoners and one youth following their applications.
The decision comes as part of efforts to uphold justice with compassion.
According to assistant inspector general of prisons, Development, Md Jannat-Ul-Farhad, none of the remitted prisoners are classified as hardened criminals.
He stated that their release would take effect once the respective jails received official orders.
Among the 38 remitted prisoners, 22 are elderly, aged between 60 and 90, who have spent decades behind bars.
The 70-year-old Hasina Begum is among the 22 fortunate prisoners who were released under Jail Code provisions.
Many have long lost contact with their families, enduring their twilight years in isolation.
Their release offers them a long-awaited chance to reunite with their loved ones and spend their final years with dignity.
The prisoners released include Shajahan (64), Md Shahadat Hossain (63) and Mohammad Sayeduzzaman (84) from Kashimpur Central Jail Part-2; Dilip Kumar (64) from Naogaon District Jail; Momtaj Uddin (60) and Abdur Rab (75) from Cumilla Central Jail; Abdul Haque, known as Abu Miah Abdus Salam (68), from Brahmanbaria District Jail; Abdus Salam (68), Zanab Mia (63), and Akai Mia, known as Akad Miah (60), from Sylhet Central Jail; Millick (67) from Barishal Central Jail; Imam Ali (63), SM Kamruzzaman Faruk (63), and Belal Hossain (66) from Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj; Abdus Salam (65) and Suruz Ali (65) from Mymensingh Central Jail; Hasina, known as Hasina Begum (70), from Women Central Jail, Kashimpur; Shahadat Hossain (76) from Rajshahi Central Jail; Ruhul Amin Hawlader (67) and Islam (61) from Jashore Central Jail; Md Zahrul Haque (64) from Chapainawabganj; and Khoka Mia (84) from Gaibandha District Jail.
Their release not only marks the end of a long, painful chapter in their lives but also highlights the need for prison reforms to ensure elderly prisoners are not forgotten.
Demonstrating the government鈥檚 commitment to rehabilitation, the country鈥檚 president Mohammed Shahabuddin exercised his constitutional power under Article 49 to remit the remaining sentences of two prisoners ahead of Eid.
Kalu Dadat (93) from Sirajganj District Jail and Abul Kalam (52) from Cox鈥檚 Bazar Jail were granted early release, allowing them to reunite with their families and celebrate the festival in freedom.
On Independence Day, 14 more prisoners convicted of minor offences had half of their sentences remitted.
Many of these individuals had been imprisoned for non-violent crimes and were serving sentences disproportionately long for their offences.
Their release acknowledges the importance of second chances and the need for a justice system that balances punishment with rehabilitation.
The beneficiaries include Anisur Rahman (55) from Barishal Central Jail; Md Ali Miah (76) and Mamtaj Uddin (70) from Cumilla Central Jail; Md Mehedi Hasan (25) from Rajbari District Jail; Khorshed Ali (81); Shahinur Alam (50); Sufia Miah (69); Habib Ali (72); Tora Miah, known as Muhibur (72); Shafiqu Miah (45); and Badsha Mia (72), all from Sylhet Central Jail.
For these individuals, many of whom were serving time for minor infractions, their release signals an opportunity to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
