Prisons in modern civilization serve as institutions for reforming and training inmates to reintegrate them into society as law-abiding citizens. People may become involved in crime for various reasons. Alongside enforcing legal punishment, it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh Prison Department to rehabilitate them. Guided by the motto, "Ensure safety, guide towards the path of light," the prison administration works tirelessly to inspire inmates who have lost their way, help them recognize their mistakes, and train them with the necessary skills to return to society as competent human resources aligned with the needs of the present era.

The Prison Department is one of the oldest institutions in Bangladesh. Its journey began in 1788 with the construction of a criminal ward under the rule of the then-administrators, marking the establishment of Dhaka Central Jail and, consequently, the prison system. In 1818, the Bengal Regulation was issued to detain political prisoners. By 1836, jails were constructed in districts and then-subdivision headquarters such as Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jessore, and Comilla. Later, in 1929, Dhaka and Rajshahi prisons were declared central jails. Following the liberation war in 1971, independent Bangladesh established its prison system under the name Bangladesh Jail (BDJ). Currently, the country has 13 central jails and 55 district jails.

The Prison Department is an integral part of the criminal justice system under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It comprises the Prison Headquarters, seven divisional offices, and 68 jails across Bangladesh. All operations of the Prison Department are supervised and controlled by the Prison Headquarters. The administrative functions are led by the Inspector General of Prisons, supported by one Additional Inspector General of Prisons and eight Deputy Inspector Generals of Prisons. At the prison level, Jail Superintendents or Senior Jail Superintendents serve as the heads of the respective offices.