Taliban's recruitment source: Jailed criminals freed to fight Afghan govt

• Just before they seized control of Kabul, Taliban opened the gates of Afghanistan’s largest prison. Taliban had released 15,000 inmates from the Pul-e-Charkhi jail on august 14. Freeing prisoners was a strategy that the Taliban used across the country. They targeted prisons to liberate islamist inmates & boost fighting ranks. In their bid to gain fighters, Taliban also released tens of thousands of criminals back into society. The criminals who were freed included murderers, rapists, and thieves. The prison, now empty, is guarded by Taliban gunmen who believe they freed people from oppression. But now, the Taliban has plans to fill this empty prison again. The Taliban plan to arrest & imprison ISIS fighters & criminals. This prison of Afghanistan was known for its squalid & cramped conditions. The Pul-e-Charkhi jail was criticised by human rights groups. Wealthy inmates could bribe guards for private cells and toilets. Most prisoners had to live on diets that barely met nutritional needs. Prisoners faced freezing cold in winters and sweltering heat in summers.