The Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Bagmati Province Office conducted a monitoring visit to Chautara Jail on October 24. The monitoring team included Shiva Khakurel, Coordinator of INSEC Bagmati Province, Krishna Nepal from the INSEC Central Office, and INSEC representative Natibabu Dhital. Chautara Jail, which has a capacity of 50 inmates, currently houses 90 male prisoners and 43 detainees.Due to space constraints, female inmates are not accommodated at this facility. According to Jail Chief, Bhim Bahadur Basnet, 18 inmates are chronic patients who require regular medication. Most of the inmates are involved in cases of rape and killing. Inmates range in age from 20 to 75 years.
During the Gen-Z protest, when prisoners escaped from another district jail, some inmates at Chautara Jail protested, demanding the right to go outside as well. After counseling and discussions with the protesting inmates, order was restored, according to Acting Jailor Shovakant Tiwari. While other conditions inside the jail are reported as normal, inmate Bachchu Sunar stated that the daily allowance of Rs 80 is insufficient to cover basic food items such as rice, lentils, vegetables, and salt. Inmate Mohan Giri added that the Rs 300 allowance for festivals is inadequate and should be increased.
Additionally, Kami Tamang,70, who is in pre-trial detention for a rape case, has requested assistance to receive updates about the status of his case, as he has not been able to obtain this information himself. Chief of Chautara Jail, Bhim Bahadur Basnet, stated that inmates face difficulties in accommodation because the jail building destroyed by the 2015 earthquake has not yet been rebuilt. During the monitoring visit, INSEC Coordinator Shiva Khakurel said that the issues and suggestions raised by inmates, internal administration, and the jail office would be forwarded to the relevant authorities.
The monitoring team also inspected the carpet and mat-making industries within the jail, as well as the areas where inmates live, sleep, and eat.
Natibabu Dhital