News Desk

United States funds $1.2 million initiative to improve monitoring of detainees in justice system

Ambassador Miller, together with Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo, inaugurated the new Prison Database Management System (PDMS) on September 17 at Sonargaon Pan Pacific Hotel in Dhaka.  The PDMS, made possible with $1.2 million (BDT 10.08 crore) in funding from the U.S. government, will improve Bangladesh’s capacity to monitor terrorist detainees entering and exiting its criminal justice system.  The system was designed in accordance with international best practices.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Miller stressed that ensuring security is an ongoing process, and human rights and rehabilitation are key pillars of any comprehensive security strategy.  He expressed his gratitude to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for its work to bring this project to reality and said, “PDMS will help Bangladeshi prisons better track and rehabilitate prisoners so that when they are released, they become responsible members of society.”

Supporting the development and implementation of PDMS is just one of the many ways the United States partners with the Government of Bangladesh in promoting peace and security.  The U.S. government takes a “full spectrum” approach to this end, working with civil society to promote alternatives to extremist narratives, working with police and security forces to prevent crimes before they occur, working with prosecutors to bring those who commit crimes to fair and swift justice, and working with prisons to monitor prisoners according to international standards.

Since 2016, the United States has invested over $41 million (BDT 344.4 crore) in civilian security assistance aimed at countering security threats in Bangladesh and focused on helping Bangladesh combat terrorism.