The lack of a healthcare professional in the ‘B’ category District Jail has resulted in challenges for inmates in necessary health treatments. Although the capacity of the prison is 352 people it is currently holding 518 prisoners.
The overcrowding of the prison has led to issues concerning access to toilets, clean drinking water, and proper accommodation. Since the promotion of the Assistant Health Worker from the prison on December 6, significant challenges have arisen in addressing the health needs of sick prisoners.
Remlal Neupane, the Jail Chief informed INSEC that when health workers were present health checks were conducted for patients within the jail. Those with more severe issues were taken to the district hospital. However, in the absence of the health worker even normal patients are now required to be taken to the hospital for examination. He added that the prison currently holds a total of 518 inmates across two blocks. In Block 1, there are 286 individuals including 145 serving their sentences and 141 awaiting verdicts. Similarly, Block 2 accommodates 232 people including 122 detainees and 110 prisoners.
One inmate in the jail is an epilepsy patient and one is an HIV-infected patient, while 26 patients are regularly taking medicine for mental illness. Chief Neupane mentioned that five to seven people who fall ill every day are taken to Kapilvastu District Hospital for treatment.
As per the Jail Administration a single person has the responsibility to perform all duties including health check-ups, providing medicines, counseling, and so on. This workload led most of the health workers to lack interest in staying in the Jail. In the prison, 17 elderly people are serving sentences of over 65 years, and nine individuals have been waiting for verdicts for more than two years.
The prisoners with chronic diseases have been sent to Palpa, Prison Office Jagannath Dewal , Palpa on the recommendation of the administration for treatment. Prisoners can visit their relatives twice a week. Chief Neupane mentioned that arrangements have been made for individuals from outside the district to meet with the inmates as well.