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The first unit of the Central Jail under construction in Nuwakot has been put into operation. During the inauguration of the Jail in Bidur Municipality-6, Chandipokhari Khamba Camp, on August 31, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that it will be developed into an industrial jail, enabling prisoners to participate in income-generating activities.

Minister Lekhak added that they plan to develop the jail industrially to make it productive, prioritizing economic activities due to the available land. He also mentioned that a well-equipped prison has been constructed to ensure that the rights of the prisoners are upheld. Attorney General Ramesh Badal added that although Nepal’s prisons have a total capacity of 16,000, they currently hold over 28,000 prisoners. This highlights the poor conditions of the prisons in the country. In the first phase, the construction of the first unit with a capacity of 1,370 prisoners has been completed. Machakaji Maharjan, the Director General of the Urban Development and Building Department, reported that Rs 45,42,00,000 were spent to build this unit on over 81 acres of land. In the first phase, 163 prisoners, including 14 women, are transferred from Nuwakot prison, while 150 prisoners have been transferred from Kathmandu. Jaya Narayan Acharya, Director General of the Prison System Department, stated that an additional 500 prisoners will be transferred from Kathmandu within a few weeks.

If completed as planned, the modern and well-equipped Nuwakot Central Jail will be able to house 7,000 prisoners, including 20% women.

Nawadeep Shrestha