A total of 71, 290 inmates are housed in the prisons whereas the capacity of the prisons is 27, 291, added the state minister.

Replying to a query by Awami League lawmaker Rahmat Ali, the minister said there were 68,992 male and 2,298 female inmates in 67 prisons in the country till June 1 against the accommodation capacity for 26,163 male and 1,128 female prisoners.

Of the 67 prisons, Dhaka Central Jail accommodates highest 8,111 prisoners against the capacity of 2, 682.

Answering to ruling BNP lawmaker Shamsuddin Ahmed's query, the state minister said after the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) was launched on March 26, 2004, 231 members of the force have been punished for various crimes till June 26 this year.

The state minister said 42 members of the Rab have been awarded with Bangladesh Police Medal and Prime Minister's Police Medal, 21 members with Testimonials and 14 with Inspector General of Police's exemplary good service badges.