KANCHANPUR, Aug 11: The district prison in Bheemdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur, is severely overcrowded, housing nearly three times its intended capacity. While the prison is designed to hold 140 male and 20 female inmates, it currently accommodates 443 male and 27 female prisoners.
On Sunday, during an inspection led by Durga Datta Bohara, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, along with the Assistant Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur and human rights activists, it was found that the old prison building was housing far more prisoners than its intended capacity, Bohara said. “During the inspection, it was found that the number of prisoners exceeded the building’s capacity. The plaster is peeling off, there are problems with the toilets, and repairs are necessary,” he said. “As the building is in a dangerous condition during earthquakes, maintenance is urgently needed.”
A budget allocation of Rs 3 to 4 million has been made for this fiscal year by both the provincial and federal governments, which is expected to help improve infrastructure, including toilets. “We asked inmates about human rights conditions during the inspection, and there were no complaints of violations,” Bohara added.
Prison overcrowded with inmates
Acting Chief Jailer Ram Datt Joshi also acknowledged that the prison is holding more prisoners than its capacity. “Due to overcrowding, we have arranged tents for the inmates,” he said, noting that unlike in the past, prisoners no longer have to stay under the open sky, as tin and tent shelters have been provided.
According to the Prison Office, the highest number of inmates—176—are being held on drug-related charges. The prison currently houses 56 inmates accused of murder, 19 of human trafficking, 99 of rape, 67 of theft, and 7 of attempted murder.
In addition, there are six inmates charged with public offences, three with fraud, seven with banking crimes, eight with traffic-related deaths, one with a wildlife-related offence, 11 with polygamy, and seven with other legal violations.
During the inspection, inmates demanded that accommodations be made proportional to the number of prisoners, that a new building be constructed due to the risks posed by the dilapidated structure, that the government cover their medical expenses, and that their direct allowances be increased.
The inspection team included District Coordination Chief Bohara, Coordination Officer Khemraj Kafle, Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Chandra Joshi, Federation of Journalists President Suresh Dhami, and human rights activist Thapa.
