KATHMANDU, April 22: Prisons across Nepal are holding more than 10,000 inmates beyond their capacity, yet the issue has not received adequate attention from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Despite the formation of a new government and the Home Minister’s active monitoring of various structures within and outside the ministry, prison conditions have largely been overlooked. Of the country’s 77 districts, 72 have a total of 75 prisons. Districts such as Bhaktapur, Dhanusha, Bara, East Nawalparasi and Rukum East lack prison facilities, while Kathmandu, Dang and Banke each have two prisons. Overcrowding in these facilities has created serious management challenges.
According to data provided by the Department of Prison Management (DoPM) on Monday, the total capacity of prisons nationwide is 18,262 inmates, but currently 27,462 individuals are being housed. While inmate numbers fluctuate daily, overall figures show that between 9,000 and 10,000 inmates exceed capacity. The DoPM reports that buildings of nine prisons are in critical condition, walls of 33 prisons are damaged, roofs of 10 prisons are leaking, and 28 facilities are in a dilapidated state. The Central Jail in Kathmandu, which has a capacity of 1,600, is currently housing nearly 4,000 inmates.
Prison overcrowded with inmates
The DoPM also stated that feeding and providing medical care to over 27,000 inmates costs nearly Rs 2 billion annually. More than Rs 1.75 billion is spent each year on food alone. In addition, eight juvenile correction homes in districts including Bhaktapur and Biratnagar house 1,294 minors involved in criminal offenses. A significant number of them have already crossed the age of 18, but the government has not been able to release them through proper legal procedures.
Despite the deteriorating condition of prisons under his ministry, Home Minister Sudan Gurung has not conducted inspections of any prison so far. Since assuming office, Gurung has projected an aggressive approach, but concerns are growing that he has issued directives beyond his jurisdiction and failed to coordinate with local representatives. Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party have even lodged formal complaints with Prime Minister Balen Shah, calling for greater institutional focus within the ministry.
During a meeting with Bagmati Province lawmakers at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, RSP lawmakers Ashika Tamang and Madhu Chaulagain expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Home Minister’s working style. They accused him of interfering in areas beyond security and administration, including the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, and of conducting uncoordinated district visits that have strained local administration.
Since taking office on March 27, Gurung has taken several assertive steps, including issuing arrest warrants against high-profile figures such as former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Recently, he has also been visiting road projects, crusher industries and development sites, issuing on-site directives.
However, officials within the ministry have expressed concerns that instead of focusing on ensuring security arrangements, the minister has been overstepping his authority. During an inspection of crusher industries along the Roshi River in Kavre on April 4, lawmakers alleged that Gurung failed to coordinate with local representatives. Similar concerns were raised during his monitoring of the Nagdhunga–Muglin road section, where his active involvement was noted but criticized for lacking procedural coordination.
Gurung continues to conduct field visits across districts, showing interest in stalled infrastructure projects and even directly contacting contractors regarding construction delays.
