A laudable step in inmate rehab

As part of an initiative to rehabilitate prison inmates, the government has recently opened a mini-garment factory inside Narayanganj District Jail. According to a report by The Daily Star, some 300 inmates will be able to work in two shifts at the factory, making fabrics and handicrafts, while their earnings will be deposited to their bank accounts. They can either send the money to their families or withdraw the entire amount while leaving the jail. This is the first initiative of its kind in Bangladesh's prison system, a small but important step in remoulding convicted criminals and giving them a chance to earn, learn skills and lead a meaningful life.

The move also marks a welcome shift in how prisons and prisoners are viewed at the policymaking level. Until recently, the general idea in Bangladesh about prisons and jails was that they are just for punishment. It is important to note that punishment is but one of the several goals of a prison. Exclusive attention to punishment risks violating the rights of the offenders as human beings, and limits their chance to change. More importantly, it doesn't reduce recidivism, which has emerged as a major threat of late, with many former convicts ending up back in prison—which is why it's important that our prison system pays more attention to rehabilitating the prisoners. That said, rehabilitation programmes for inmates should also include education, life skills trainings and psychosocial sessions on a regular basis so that they can be safely reintegrated into society once they are released.