Dhaka, Nov. 4 -- The Department of Prisons has decided to release 37 prisoners who have served more than 20 years behind bars, taking into account their conduct, prison record, age, and the nature of their offences.

The decision was announced on Tuesday through an order issued by the department, which said the remaining portion of the prisoners' sentences had been remitted under Rule 569 of the Jail Code.

According to the rule, prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment before or after Dec 7, 1990, may seek remission through the inspector general of prisons two or three months prior to their potential release after serving 14 or 20 years, including remission.

This provision, commonly known as the "Twenty Years Ru...