Jail inmates in Bangladesh get pillows after 230 years

DHAKA — After 230 years of using blankets as a substitute for pillows, inmates are going to get cotton-pillows to sleep on for the first time in the history of jails in Bangladesh.

Since 1788, when a “criminal ward” was built in Dhaka on NazimuddinRoad, which was later turned into Dhaka Central Jail, prisoners wouldnot be given pillows to rest their heads on. This practice was adopted by every jail in the country.

Instead, they would be given three blankets, a plate and a bowl to live in jail as per the prison provision services, Abdullah Al Mamun, assistant inspector general (admin) of prison directorate, told The Daily Star.

The prisoners would use one blanket as a bed spread, one to cover their body while sleeping, and the remaining one would be folded and used as a substitute for a pillow.

Previously, cotton pillows and mosquito nets were only allowed for prisoners who had division-facilities or were admitted to hospital for health reasons, said AIG Mamun, adding that pillows were not allowed for general prisoners.

However, that is set to change as inmates in all prisons will be given pillows from October onwards, according to prison authorities.