Ten jails of the country are running without a jailer for around six months.

The post of jailer of Chuadanga, Meherpur, Narail, Jhalkathi, Madaripur, Khagrachhari, Chandpur, Netrokona, Thakurgaon and Lalmonirhat jails fell vacant after some of the jailers were promoted to deputy superintendent while some others were given the current charge of jail superintendent.

Staffs said administrative activities of the jails are disrupted due to long absence of the jailer, the administrative head of a jail.

"A jail may run without any disruption if the jail superintendent remains absent for a couple days as other officers may do his work. But a jail cannot be run without a jailer who works round the clock," said a senior official of Dhaka Central Jail.

There are complaints of neglect of inspections of the wards and cells, in attending the inmates' objections and irregularities in managing visitors, said some jail staffs.

Sources said the authorities failed to appoint new jailers for want of competent officers.