A joint team from the INSEC Karnali Province Office in Surkhet and the National Human Rights Commission monitored the Salyan District Jail on October 6, 2024. Narayan Subedi, Coordinator of the INSEC Karnali Province Office, stated that they conduct the monitoring in coordination with the commission to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights within the jail system.
Ramesh Kumar Thapa, Chief of the Human Rights Commission Karnali Province Office, stated that during the monitoring, the team engaged in discussions with prisoners, detainees, jailers, chiefs, and representatives of security agencies regarding jail administration and management. Currently, the prison houses 144 inmates, despite having a capacity of only 25 people. Jailer Bhim Gharti reported that there are 125 men, 17 women, and two dependent minors in the facility. Narayan Subedi reported that monitoring revealed more prisoners than the facility’s capacity, forcing inmates to sleep in cages, on balconies, and in toilets, and they have to take turns accessing the water tap. Female inmate Reshmi Budha informed the monitoring team that women have not received skill based training, the funds for direct expenses are insufficient, the prison is old and dilapidated, and there are wiring issues.
Similarly, Ramesh Kumar Khadka, a prisoner from Bagchaur Municipality-11, alleged that Kamal Kumar Khadka, the former watchman, used to beat inmates inside the jail. Ramesh informed the monitoring team that the watchman had now been transferred to another facility. During the monitoring, another prisoner stated that cases are not resolved while inmates are in prison, the statements made at the police office do not align with their statements, and the police physically beat them to obtain their statements. Tilak Basnet, an inmate, complained to the monitoring team that he was not admitted to Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj and that he was not reimbursed for treatment expenses at a private hospital when he sought care for a blood infection. The coordinator of the INSEC Karnali Province Office mentioned that during the monitoring, it was observed that arrangements had been made for inmates of the appropriate age group to take exams within the prison. Subedi added that the regular medicines needed by chronic patients are provided free of charge, and a price list is displayed in the shop inside the prison. He also mentioned that the inmates informed the monitoring team that the rooms inside the prison do not receive enough sunlight, leading to pest problems.
There are five senior citizens, one inmate with a disability, one pregnant inmate, and five chronically ill patients in the jail. Jailer Bhim Bahadur Gharti stated that they have assigned a watchman and a jail leader to address any complaints from the prisoners and bring the issues to the jailer as needed. Jailer Bhim Bahadur Gharti mentioned that inmates who fell sick and required treatment were sent outside the district for treatment, but they complained about not receiving their allotted expenses. He stated that the prison receives only Rs 150,000 annually for this purpose, which is insufficient to cover travel, food, and the daily allowance for the security personnel accompanying the patient.
