The next cabinet meeting will formally decide to provide a plot of land in Bidur municipality to relocate Jagannath Dewal Jail, Home Ministry Spokesperson Shankar Koirala told Republica. [break]
For years the stakeholders have been urging the government to relocate the central jail for all the obvious reasons. The jail established almost a century ago in the heart of the capital is in a dilapidated condition and overcrowded, which raise genuine security concerns. It also does not meet the standards set by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the humane treatment of the inmates.
According to Koirala, the relocated jail will spread over 800 ropanis of land, including 250 ropanis of public property.
“As the central jail hardly has any prospects for expansion, we are being compelled to house 2,367 prisoners in the space meant for just 1,400 inmates,” said Ramesh Khadka, the jailor, welcoming the government´s decision to find a permanent solution to the problem.
A taskforce recently formed to study physical and managerial aspects the central jail had recommended the government to relocate it to Bidur.
According to the Home Ministry, the taskforce that visited various parts of the country in search of an appropriate place to relocate the central jail has recommended Chandi Pokhari area by the Trishuli River at ward number six of the municipality.
Several taskforces and over half a dozen committees formed in the past had also suggested the government to permanently relocate the central jail.
“Once the cabinet gives the green signal to relocate the central jail to Bidur, the construction work will immediately start as per the detailed master plan,” Koirala further informed.
The master plan includes a prison house, hospital, playground, children park, school, rehabilitation center, security office, and quarters with modern facilities.
The ICRC standards require respect for the prisoners, their physical and mental integrity, proper food, accommodation, hygiene, access to health care; and maintenance of the family and social relationships.
And the standards also demand a minimum physical exercise for the inmates, ample leisure activities, and provisions for employment and vocational training.
It may be noted here that the government also needs to pay closer attention to improve the condition of prisons across the country.
Some 74 prisons in 72 districts, with the collective capacity to house 7,000 inmates, hold over 14,000 prisoners.
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