As part of the efforts to this end, small-scale rehabilitation activities, including technical training, have already started in jails to transform prisoners into good citizens so that they can make contribution to the development of the country.

"Arrangements have been made to develop prisoners' technical skills and help them become law-abiding citizens," the adviser said at the annual meeting with prison officials held at the Prison Directorate in Bakshibazar in the city following the inauguration of Prison Week-2007.

The adviser assured the prison staffs of looking into the problems. He also said the government would consider introducing Kara Padak for dedicated members of the prison staff.

He asked all prison staffs to maintain a decent living standard inside the jails and carry out their duties with patience.

"A considerable change has already been taken place in the prison management. The prison will now be considered a reformation centre, rather than just a place of confinement," said Brigadier General Zakir Hasan, inspector general of police, prison.

A total of 87,000 convicts are now serving prison terms in jails across the country against the capacity of 27,000 inmates while 600 women prisoners are in Dhaka Central Jail against the capacity of 134.