Prisons Showcase Digital Services

The Department of Prisons is showcasing a range of technology-driven services at the Innovation Fair in Dhaka, including video calling for inmates, biometric attendance, artificial intelligence-based family verification and RFID-enabled cashless canteen services. The initiatives are aimed at improving transparency, security, accountability and communication within the prison system.

The services are being demonstrated at the fairgrounds of Novo Theatre on Saturday, September 12. A kiosk, biometric attendance device and video-calling phone have been displayed at the prison administration’s stall. A monitor beside the display shows visitors how the devices are used inside prisons.

Visitors have shown strong interest in the technology-enabled services and the digital facilities being introduced inside the country’s prisons.

Jailer Md. Abul Hossain, who is responsible for the Department of Prisons stall, said the department’s video-calling system is currently operating as a pilot project at Munshiganj District Jail. The Department of Prisons has said inmates will be allowed to speak with family members through video calls once a week for 10 minutes under specific rules.

Only approved relatives—including spouses, children, parents and siblings—will be allowed to communicate with inmates through registered numbers. Special rules will apply to VIP inmates and accused persons in political cases. The duration and conditions of video calls will be determined according to official guidelines.

The system also incorporates artificial intelligence to verify the person appearing on the camera. The names of approved family members are registered in the prison’s digital system. If an unregistered person appears in front of the camera during a call, the AI-based system will automatically disconnect the call. Conversations during the calls will also be recorded.

KaraPay Enables Remote Services

Jailer Md. Abul Hossain said relatives can use the KaraPay app to deposit money into an inmate’s account and enter information required for video calls without visiting the prison repeatedly.

The official KaraPay platform identifies the service as being implemented and secured by the Department of Prisons.

RFID Powers Cashless Canteen

The Department of Prisons has also introduced a cashless prison system to make inmate purchases more transparent. Relatives can deposit money into an inmate’s Prisoners Cash account through mobile banking and mobile financial services.

Inmates can then purchase food and other approved items without using cash. The amount is automatically deducted from the inmate’s account, while the inmate can check the available balance. Any remaining balance can be returned through a release slip when the inmate is released.

The pilot system at Munshiganj District Jail uses radio-frequency identification technology. RFID allows prison authorities to identify inmates, monitor their locations, conduct accurate ward-level headcounts and manage cashless transactions.

Under the previous system, inmates used prisoner cash cards to collect food and other items from the prison canteen. Under the new system, an RFID-enabled wristband or device linked to the individual inmate is used for purchases. The system is intended to reduce opportunities for irregularities and eliminate the need for cash transactions.

Spellbound Communications Limited is supporting the digital transformation of the prison system.

Former Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Mohammad Motaher Hossain inaugurated the video-calling project at Munshiganj District Jail on July 5. The Department of Prisons plans to expand the service to other prisons based on the pilot experience and operational guidelines.

According to the Department of Prisons, Bangladesh currently has 74 prisons, including 15 central prisons and 59 district prisons. The administrative operations of these prisons are controlled from the Department of Prisons headquarters in Bakshibazar, Dhaka.

The digital initiatives are part of broader efforts to make prison administration more modern, transparent, technology-driven and accountable. The Inspector General of Prisons has also recently highlighted several initiatives aimed at modernizing prison management.

The fair will remain open to visitors from 10am to 8pm every day until Monday, September 14.
//DBTech/Reporter/sub-Editor//