The Khulna District Jail construction project has not been completed even in an era. The project was approved by Ekne in 2011 but work started in 2012. The cost of the project was initially Tk 144 crores, but it has been increased several times to Tk 288 crores. There is dissatisfaction as the work is not completed despite the increase in time and cost. Although all the works of the prison are supposed to be completed in June this year, there are doubts whether it will be possible or not.

It is known that Khulna District Jail was built in 1906 on the banks of Bhairav River. Its capacity is 678 prisoners. Currently there are twice as many inmates in the jail. As a result, the current government started the construction of a new prison on about 30 acres of land near the Joy Bangla intersection of Khulna City Bypass Road. According to the master plan of the prison, 4000 prisoners can be kept. However, under the project, the infrastructure for holding two thousand prisoners is being created. Besides, there are 47 buildings from one floor to six floors and 52 concrete infrastructures including observation towers, including barracks of various categories of prisoners, prison guard quarters. Walls of different heights including 18 feet, 12 feet, 4 feet are being constructed inside the prison for a length of about five and a half kilometers. There are separate barracks for juvenile and girl prisoners. There will be separate hospitals, motivation centers and worksheds for women.

Similarly, there will be a 50-bed hospital for male prisoners. There will also be a school for the children of prison guards, a large library, a dining room, a modern saloon and a laundry. The jail will have separate wards and day-care centers for women inmates with children. Ordinary women cannot stay in this ward. There will be education, sports, entertainment and cultural activities for children. The jail will have separate workshop, recreation center and prayer room for male and female inmates for handicraft work.

Meanwhile, the civic leaders have expressed their anger as the construction of the prison has not been completed for a long time. They claim that corruption is involved in the long process of any project. Besides, if the prison is completed and handed over quickly, the prisoners will get rid of various difficulties.

The authorities claim that the progress of the work is 92 percent. It is possible to complete the work by June. But the reality is that there is a lot of work to be done in the prison, which will take more time to complete.

Kudrat-i-Khuda, president of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujan) Khulna said, “Even after almost 13 years, the work of the district jail is not finished.” Such a thing cannot be thought of in a fair state. Corruption is associated with project delays. Corruption increases when projects are prolonged.

Jail Superintendent of Khulna District Jail Mohammad Rafiqul Quader told media that everyone expects the project to be implemented quickly. If this is implemented it will increase the inmate capacity of the jail. There will be separate hospitals for men and women. The new prison also has a school, which will increase educational opportunities for all.

Executive Engineer of Khulna Public Works Division-2. Asaduzzaman told media that the construction project of Khulna District Jail should be completed and handed over by June this year. The overall progress of the project is 92 percent. Now only the finishing work is left.