Prison radicalization: A persisting threat for Bangladesh

Prison radicalization poses a significant and evolving threat in Bangladesh's correctional facilities. This research article delves into the conditions fostering radicalization, including corruption, overcrowding, violence, and the lack of essential amenities. Drawing on extensive analysis of secondary data and expert interviews, this article argues that these conducive conditions have transformed Bangladeshi prisons into breeding grounds for radical ideologies, allowing militants to establish networks and plan attacks within and beyond prison confines. This article also points out the transformation of prisoners, even those with minimal radical tendencies, into militant leaders, along with the shift of non-radical individuals toward extremism. Moreover, it underscores the lack of de-radicalization programs within the current prison system as a crucial gap in countering this escalating issue. Furthermore, the research identifies societal denial, limited post-release opportunities, and mistreatment by security forces as factors exacerbating radicalization post-incarceration. As such, this study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address prison radicalization.

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