Khulna, Nov 01 (V7N)- A new chapter has begun in Khulna’s correctional system with the official opening of the city’s modern new district prison. The facility started operations on Saturday morning (November 1) with the transfer of the first 100 inmates.

Khulna Jail Superintendent Nasir Uddin confirmed the development, stating that prisoners were welcomed with bouquets of flowers upon arrival. The transfer of inmates from the old district jail began at 10 a.m., and prisoners from the nine upazilas of Khulna district will be relocated to the new complex in phases. Meanwhile, inmates from the Khulna metropolitan area will continue to be housed in the old jail.

“After a long wait, the journey of the new prison has finally begun with 100 prisoners,” said Jail Superintendent Nasir Uddin. He added that although the opening was initially scheduled for October 25, the program commenced today following a final decision from the Department of Prisons headquarters.

Located near Zero Point on the Khulna bypass road, about 10 kilometers from the old facility, the new district jail spans 30 acres of land and was constructed at a cost of Tk 288 crore. It replaces the historic Khulna District Jail, established in 1912 at Jailkhana Ghat on the banks of the Bhairab River, which has a capacity of only 678 inmates. The old jail will now operate as the Khulna Metropolitan Jail.

The newly built prison complex features 52 separate structures and can accommodate up to 4,000 prisoners. Designed as a modern correctional facility, it includes separate sections for undertrial and convicted inmates, as well as distinct areas for female and juvenile prisoners.

The facility also includes a 50-bed hospital, workshop, library, school for prison guards’ children, day-care center, and a recreation center for female prisoners and their children — marking a significant step toward improving prison infrastructure and rehabilitation in Bangladesh.

END/SMA/AJ