Bangladesh to release 56 life-term prisoners in phases

The government has decided to release 56 inmates serving life sentences who have completed over 20 years in prison, including remission, under its clemency powers.

The release has been approved under Rule 569 of the Jail Code, commonly known as the ‘Twenty Years Rule’, and Section 401(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc), said Zannat-Ul-Forhad, Assistant Inspector General (Prison, Media) at the Prison Headquarters, reports UNB.

“We received the formal letter from the Home Ministry yesterday (Monday),” the AIG said.

Several inmates were released today (Tuesday), and others will be freed in phases from different prisons across the country on completion of necessary document verification, he added.

According to the Jail Code, a life sentence in Bangladesh is legally interpreted as 30 years. But, prisoners may be considered for early release after serving at least 20 years, including remission, based on government discretion and good conduct, as per Rule 569 and Section 401(1) of the CrPc.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the names of the released inmates or the specific prisons from which they were freed.