The government is considering reducing the tenure of life-term imprisonment to allow the release of elderly and ailing inmates, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

He came up with the remark while talking to reporters after a core committee meeting at the Home Ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Sunday.

The adviser said many prisons face budget shortages while accommodating a large number of elderly inmates who are suffering from chronic illnesses and require regular medication. Authorities are therefore examining whether the current 30-year life sentence could be shortened for such prisoners.

He mentioned that one option discussed was fixing the term at 20 years for women and slightly higher for men, but the age of convicts will be an important factor in any decision.

“If someone commits a crime at 18 and walks free after 20 years, there is a risk of reoffending,” he noted.

On security issues, Jahangir said arms looted earlier are being recovered on a daily basis through reward announcements.

“The overall law and order situation is good, and we are fully prepared for the upcoming national election,” he added.