On June 15, the High Court sought a report from prison authorities detailing the number and ages of children living with their mothers in prisons across the country

The Department of Social Services has recommended placing 303 children living with their incarcerated mothers in prisons across the country with close relatives of their choice or in government-run children’s homes, considering their best interests.
 
In a report submitted to the High Court, the department said the children were regularly monitored through the Offender Reformation and Rehabilitation Association. They were also provided with essential support, including toys, clothing and baby food.
 
On June 15, the High Court sought a report from prison authorities detailing the number and ages of children living with their mothers in prisons across the country. However, that report has yet to be submitted.
 
A High Court bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Choudhury and Justice Md Ziaul Haque issued an order and a rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Kamrun Nahar Mahmud Deepa.
 
The rule asked why directives should not be issued to take necessary measures to ensure the safety, welfare, education, proper development and fundamental rights of children living in prisons.
 
Barrister Kamrun Nahar Mahmud Deepa told that the Supreme Court was currently in recess and the final hearing on the writ petition would take place after the holidays.
 
Prison data shows 299 children
According to Department of Prisons data, 299 children were living with their mothers in the country’s 74 central and district jails as of April 26, 2024. Of them, 153 were girls, and 146 were boys.
 
Most of the mothers are accused in drug-related cases. Some are serving prison sentences, while others are awaiting trial.
 
Division-wise, Dhaka accounted for 100 children living with their mothers in prison, followed by Chittagong with 90, Rajshahi with 25, Rangpur with 25, Khulna with 20, Sylhet with 19, Mymensingh with 13 and Barisal with four.
 
Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail in Gazipur has the highest number of children living with their mothers, according to the report.
 
While the Department of Social Services report puts the number at 303, the Department of Prisons recorded 299 children as of April 26, 2024.
 
Deepa believes the discrepancy will become clearer once the authorities concerned explain the differences in the reporting periods and calculation methods used in the two sets of data.