SANKHUWASABHA, Sept 6: The District Prison in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha, built to house 55 inmates, is currently holding 139 prisoners—nearly three times its capacity.
According to Prison Chief Jailer Rajan Ghimire, although the facility was designed to accommodate 50 men and five women, it now holds 131 male and eight female inmates, along with two dependent children. The overcrowding has severely strained daily operations, including drinking water supply, sanitation, and basic living arrangements.
The prison occupies just 3.5 ropani of land, leaving no room for additional construction. “Due to triple occupancy, prisoners face difficulties with food, accommodation, toilets, and sanitation. The old and congested building makes daily life very difficult,” Ghimire said, adding that inmates frequently complain about poor living conditions. “Prisoners are supposed to be treated humanely, but the current situation makes it impossible to provide adequate facilities.”
He further warned that the lack of space and infrastructure poses serious risks during emergencies. “There is no road access for ambulances, fire trucks, or security vehicles. Reaching the prison requires climbing down a narrow stairway, which could delay rescue efforts in the event of a disaster,” he explained.
Despite repeated requests to authorities for prison expansion and improvements, Ghimire said no action has been taken so far.