KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress MP NP Saud has urged the formation of a parliamentary study committee to develop long-term solutions for the persistent problems observed in prisons across Nepal.
Speaking during the special time in Thursday’s House of Representatives session, Saud emphasized the need for a committee to thoroughly examine prison reform processes, including the implementation of the Prison Reform Concept Paper, 2022, and the Home Administration Reform Plan, 2021.
“Prisoners are also citizens of society. Protecting their rights and providing a path for reform reflects a civilized and responsible state,” Saud said, stressing the importance of immediate and comprehensive improvement measures.
He called for structural reforms aligned with prison capacities, guaranteed health services, hygiene, nutritious food, and mental health programs. Saud also highlighted the need for alternative sentencing to reduce overcrowding, trained personnel to prevent violent incidents, and strengthened security mechanisms.
Citing the National Human Rights Commission, Saud pointed to incidents such as the clash among inmates in Kailali Prison on August 9, the death of a prisoner in Birgunj Prison, and overcrowding in Rupandehi and other district prisons, where minimum human rights protections were compromised.
According to Saud, Nepal’s 75 prisons currently house 28,718 inmates, including 18,283 convicts and 10,435 detainees, with 1,427 foreign nationals. Many facilities operate at double their intended capacity, creating health risks, violence, and human rights violations.
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