NEPALGUNJ, Aug 10: Overcrowding has increased security threat in Nepalgunj-based Banke district jail. With the rise in the number of inmates, the volume of wastes emanating from the prison has also increased and its management has become tougher.
As a result, the prison premises is stinking with rampant throwing of wastes and more prisoners are getting health complications.
Overcrowding Birgunj jail raises safety concerns
Jailor Shyam Lal Lamichhane said that the jail has the real capacity for 300 inmates but now it is accommodating 658, which is more than double in number.
Jail security challenges have increased as the walls on the premises are decrepit, inmates are accommodated beyond its real capacity and the prison is located amidst a dense settlement, the prison administration said.
A contingent of 50 security personnel from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force has been deployed for the prison security which is inadequate in itself for maintaining security.
"Compulsion to accommodate more than enough inmates, lack of modern security arrangement and prison being located in the proximity of dense settlement have triggered security threats in the jail," said jailer Lamichhane.
However, a regional jail with the capacity of 3,000 inmates is under construction at Naubasta.
Lamichhane added the Banke district jail will also be relocated to appropriate place once the high capacity prison is constructed. RSS
