Damauli, March 8

Inmates in Tanahun District Prison are facing a hard time as the prison houses inmates almost three times its normal capacity.

Jailor at District Prison Narayan Prasad Adhikari said the prison had the capacity to house 50 inmates, but it had 135 prisoners at present. He said the number of jailbirds had increased after the implementation of new laws in country. Adhikari said some prisoners would be released on the occasion of Democracy Day and Dashain if they showed improved behaviour.

Due to overcrowding and poor sanitation in the prison, jailbirds are at high risk of suffering from communicable diseases. The prison authorities also admitted that many jailbirds were already suffering from typhoid, common cold and skin diseases, among other diseases. “The situation can be even worse during summer if it goes like this,” they added.

He also said that it was difficult to manage prisoners due to lack of staffers. Adhikari said the prison had the quota of nine staffers, but only seven staffers were working in the prison at present.