In a unique and compassionate initiative, local school and college students have been engaged as volunteers to help distribute home-cooked meals to inmates at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj during the Eid festivities.

To make the food inspection and distribution process faster and more efficient, the prison authorities have enlisted students from nearby educational institutions to assist prison guards.

According to prison officials, during Eid and other major festivals, the relatives of inmates bring special meals to share their joys with their loved ones. 

Ensuring the safety and proper distribution of this food is a time-consuming and labour-intensive task.

In response, some local students have volunteered to support the process, they added.

A senior prison official told UNB that this is a pilot initiative. Under the supervision of trained prison guards, the students are assisting not only with distribution but also with checking, inspecting, and ensuring that food is handed over to inmates in an orderly manner.

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One student from a local college, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “At first I was a bit nervous, but now I feel this is part of our social and humanitarian responsibility.”

“Inmates are human, too. Being able to do something for them is an honour,” the student added.

The move has sparked debate in some quarters, with critics expressing concern about involving students in activities related to such a sensitive environment.

Addressing these concerns, Inspector General of Prisons Brigadier General Syed Mohammad Motahar Hossain told UNB that this is the first time local students have been involved in such an initiative. If it proves successful, the model may be applied in other prisons across the country.

He clarified that the students are not entering the inside prison premises. 

“They are working from outside the secured areas and are always accompanied by our security personnel. They are not interfering with the duties of prison guards, only providing humanitarian support," he said. 

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DIG Prisons (Dhaka Range) Jahangir Kabir said that special meals were served to inmates on Eid day. From Sunday, relatives have been bringing in food over three consecutive days. 

“As this process is time-consuming and physically demanding, local students have been brought in on a trial basis. If the initiative is successful, it may be expanded to other prisons as well," he said. 

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A Keraniganj jail official, also requesting anonymity, noted that whether the initiative continues will depend on its outcomes and a thorough security assessment. For now, the effort is bringing smiles to the faces of inmates and setting a rare example of humanitarian engagement among the youth.

Education experts have also lauded the initiative, stating that such involvement not only raises social awareness among students but also helps instil a deeper sense of empathy and responsibility.