Editorial | Locked up and forgotten
Summary
Nepal's overcrowded prisons, housing nearly twice their intended capacity, face frequent violent clashes, highlighting neglect in prison management and the urgent need for reform to improve inmates' conditions and reduce crime.
Key Points
- Nepal's prisons are overcrowded, holding over 30,000 inmates despite a capacity of 16,000.
- Recent violent clashes in Kailali District Prison resulted in one death and many injuries amid ignored warnings and rising gang tensions.
- Prison administration neglected early warnings and failed to deploy adequate security, even as top officials were informed.
- Reforming criminals through harsh, overcrowded conditions has proven ineffective and poses ongoing safety and social challenges.
