Birgunj: Overcrowding has compounded management challenges at the Birgunj prison. Despite a capacity to accommodate 1,000 inmates, the facility currently holds more than 1,300 prisoners, including some foreign nationals, which has complicated management efforts.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Chief of District Prison Parsa, Khimraj Bhusal, highlighted the difficulties posed by the overcrowded conditions. The District Administration Office, along with other authorities, has planned to relocate the prison to a larger facility, but this plan has yet to be realized.
Additionally, the position of medical officer in the prison has been vacant for several years. Although there is a designated post for a doctor, a Health Assistant is currently providing healthcare services. Stakeholders have emphasized the need for a doctor to conduct regular health checkups for inmates.
Bhusal mentioned that inmates occasionally suffer from seasonal health issues. Due to the absence of a doctor, patients with serious conditions are referred to Narayani Hospital for treatment.