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“All Citizens are Equal before Law and are Entitled to Equal Protection of Law”-Article 27 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh



Issue No: 180
March 6, 2005

This week's issue:
Law Opinion
Human Rights Monitor
Star Law Analysis
Rights Monitor
Human Rights Advocacy
Law Book Review
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Rights monitor

Non Official Jail Visitors

Powerful mechanism to monitor jail

Apart from the official visitors, there is also a provision to appoint non-official visitors to oversee the situation in the jail, to see that the rules and orders are properly followed and to see that the rights of the inmates are ensured. In the absence of an independent monitoring body, these non-official jail visitors can, in fact, play the role as they have the power to visit the jail at any time, talk to the prisoners, see the relevant papers and recommend relevant action.

Appointment of the non-official visitors
The non-official jail visitors are appointed by official notification by the respective district commi{sioners. Gentlemen and ladies of position who are likely to take an interest in the welfare of the prisoners and are willing accept this duty, are appointed as non-official jail visitors. The general practice is that members of the civil society-teacher{, lawyers and parliament members are appointed.

Number of non-official visitors
* Six gentlemen and four ladies for central jails
* Three gentlemen and two ladies for district jails
* Two gentlemen and one lady for subsidiary jails

Term of the non-official visitors
The non-official visitors are appointed for a period of two years and are eligible for reappointment on the expiry of each term so long as he/she is fit and willing to serve, unless his/her appointment has been cancelled under the rule of the Jail Code.

Cancellation of appointment
The appointment of any non-official jail visitor, who is not an ex-officio visitor, may be cancelled by the authority appointing him/her within the period of his/her tezm for failure to visit the jail for a continuous period of three months or non-attendance at two consecutive quarterly meetings of the Board of Visitors or for other sufficient reasons.

Powers of the jail visitors
Jail visitors may call for all books, papers and records of every departments of the jail, but the superintending may decline to produce any book, paper or record for the inspection of a non official visitor, if for reasons to be recorded in writing he considers its production undesirable.

Duties of the jail visitors
Visitors should, if possible, visit every yard, ward, workshop and cell, except those in which detenus, State prisoners, or Division I prisoners are confined, see every prisoner except detenus, State prisoners, or Division I prisoners in confinement at the time of their visit. In every cise of complaint madm to the jail vi{itors, they sho}ld enquire what the rules in force are, and whether these are observed or not and they should a{certain generally whether rules and orders are adhered to. They should examine the punishment register and see that suitable punishments have been awarded, and that they are properly recorded. On arrival at the jail they should muster the reserve guard and see that the full number of men required by rules is present, fully armed and equipped.

Courtesy: Odhikar.

Photo: Star

 
 
 


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