Bangladesh: 303 children living in prisons with incarcerated mothers

The Department of Social Services has submitted a report to the High Court revealing that 303 children are currently living in various prisons in Bangladesh with their incarcerated mothers. The report was filed following a writ petition by Supreme Court lawyer Kamrun Nahar Mahmud Deepa, which sought information regarding the number and welfare of children residing in prisons.

According to the findings, the majority of the mothers are involved in drug-related cases, with some serving sentences and others awaiting trial. The children are distributed across various divisions, with the highest numbers located in Dhaka and Chittagong.

The Department, working through the ‘Criminal Offenders Correction and Rehabilitation Association’ under the supervision of probation officers, currently provides basic necessities such as toys, clothing, and nutritious food. This humanitarian effort is funded by grants from the National Social Welfare Council and private donations.

The report includes two primary recommendations: first, that children be placed under foster care or alternative family care with close relatives once they reach a certain age or time limit; and second, if no safe relatives are available, they should be placed in government-run child families to ensure their best interests and development.