Soaking up in the warm winter sun, groups of men are seen eating, sitting in circles, and walking around within the walled zone—their only view of the outside world is the open sky.
The two blocks of Nakkhu Prison—the DRC block and Community Rehabilitation Center – spans across some 36 ropanis of land, and its walls rise approximately 20 feet with electric copper wires.
Small kitchens scatter along different sections of the prison, and are separated for vegetarians and people with communicable diseases. Each kitchen cooks lunch and dinner for approximately 60 inmates. And in close proximity to the kitchens are the rooms—some big, others small, more or less in a dormitory setting. However, the beds are attached to each other, and the inmates sleep close to each other due to lack of space.
Space is a concern for many, and they complain about it. The prison built for about 175 convicts is now packed with 450, says Jeevan Rayamajhi, clock-in-charge for the DRC block. But there is no option.
But in the packed space, prisoners create personal bonds, friendship and work together.
The jail also serves as a place to enhance people’s creativity and work for some income. A handful of prisoners indulge in weaving bead necklaces and weaving Nepali caps and wallets from multicolored threads.
Pun, who is also the in-charge for the DRC block, said the government should bring more forms of employment for prisoners since the current employment projects are not government-initiated. He shows the chicken coop and the beehives, some of the efforts that the prisoners have initiated themselves.
Prisoners, irrespective of their personal income through these forms of employment at the prison, get 700 grams of rice and Rs 45 per day whereas for international prisoners it’s 700 grams of rice and Rs 5 daily.
Michael Ozor, a 32-year-old Nigerian native, who didn’t want to disclose his reason for arrest, said it’s difficult to survive in a foreign prison, and he’s waiting for the verdict. He said there is a language barrier and cultural adjustment but added that he has made some Nepali friends and learned some Nepali.
“Khana Khayo,” he referred to as one of the phrases that he learned initially since everyone asked him if he had his lunch.
As a pastime in the prison, Ozor said he watches movies and talks politics. He talked about the Maoists in Nepal, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerain native who attempted to detonate an explosive on a Detroit-bound flight Christmas Day, and about his passion for football.
Inside the gated community, there are various sources for prisoners to divert their attention from the fact that they’re inside a prison—from volleyball to football and basketball. There is also a shed where they can play pool.
Each of the blocks also has its own religious center—there is a temple in the courtyards and a spacious room in both the blocks that serve as a praying center for the Christian community inside the prison. There are about 150 Christians at Nakkhu prison, most of them converts.
The blocks also have their respective libraries, which are established through Prison Fellowship Nepal and Read Nepal. There are about 1,500 books ranging from Geeta Saar to Jack Kerouac and Tom Harrison.
While some spend time reading in the libraries, Rayamajhi is pursuing his studies. He says he passed his SLC last year and is continuing his further studies in political science from the jail. Though convicted in a murder charge, he hopes to be released. He laments about the judicial system, talks about his case, and how he became trapped in the murder case.
But the 29-year-old sees a ray of hope. He said he plans to join politics after his release. However, for many, like 54-year-old Pun, who will be released next year, he visualizes a bleak future. He hasn’t been in touch with his family, nor has he any skills. And his only concern is about the many others like him who will be without a course after they are released.
“It’s important to train the manpower that’s here so that they can be reestablished after they’re released,” Pun said.
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