KATHMANDU: The Department of Prison Management would replace old and earthquake-damaged prisons in 17 districts with the new ones. The construction will be undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction.

Overcrowding in prisons is a growing challenge for prison management in Nepal.

New prison houses will be built in Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Manang, Mugu, Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, Surkhet, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Bajhang, and Dadeldhura districts.

Likewise, with the support from the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), women's prisons would be constructed in Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Jagannathdewal, Nakhu, Gorkha, Lamjung and Dhading districts, the Department said.

There are 74 prisons housing over 18,000 inmates in 72 districts and accommodating this number against their capacity for 10,000 inmates.

Two districts Bara and Dhanusha have no prison.