The plight of the inmates has rarely been noticed, while the government has done precious little to improve the conditions the inmates live in. [break]
Jail inmates, who spoke to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachachhadar during a visit to Central Jail at Jagannathdewal and the women´s prison on Wednesday, complained about the facilities and physical infrastructure in the jail. [break]
A majority of the prisoners demanded an increase in the amount provided for rations. The government provides Rs 45 per head daily for rations.
Gachchhadar speaks to media. (Photo: Bhaswor Ojha)
Talking to media persons after visiting the prison, Gachachhadar said, “I observed several problems related to overcrowding, physical infrastructure, health conditions, drinking water and sanitation, and the government will soon begin a process to address these problems.”
The government is soon to unveil various reform programs on the basis of the suggestions of various commissions and task forces, he said.
Prison inmates said that none of the successive governments did anything to improve physical infrastructure in the prisons. “Though we have a prison hospital we don´t have a doctor in case of emergency,” a woman serving time for women trafficking complained. Buddi Gurung, also imprisoned for women trafficking, said that they had to fight with others every day for their water.
Patini Lama, who is serving a term for murder, mocked the judicial system and asked the DPM why the justices were afraid to look into her case.
Priya Rai, 16, accused of involvement in murder, claimed that she was dragged to jail in a conspiracy. Listening to her, the DPM said the government would support her if she was innocent.
He also said that the government would support the innocent but could do nothing if the case was still in court.
Pratima Kumari Sen Bhatta, wife of former chief of national intelligence Ashok Dev Bhatta, complained that the government was unable to nab the real culprits behind the banking scam.
A Filipino prisoner, Mary Annfiguera, who is in jail for drug trafficking, asked, "I was conspired against by my own boyfriend and even Interpol said they didn´t find any drugs with me, so why am I in prison?"
Notorious criminal Charles Shobraj presented a letter to the DPM via a security guard, drawing the attention of the government to an application that was forwarded to the prison DG.
Talking about the security threats created by tall buildings around the prison, the DPM said, "We plan to shift Central Jail to Nuwakot as soon as possible."
In the visit party were Home Secretary Nabin Ghimire, IGP Kuber Singh Rana, AIG Nawaraj Dhakal and different government stakeholders.
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