Bidur: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal today inspected the Central Prison located in Bidur, Nuwakot. During his visit, he announced plans to convert a vacant block into a juvenile rehabilitation centre. The move comes as part of efforts to enhance facilities within the prison.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Aryal emphasized the importance of conducting prison activities in accordance with human rights principles and legal standards. He tasked the prison administration with ensuring that inmates’ rights are respected and that improvements are made where necessary, particularly in the areas of meals, accommodation, and other essential services.
Concerns were raised by prisoners’ relatives regarding the inadequate road infrastructure leading to the prison. In response, Minister Aryal committed to expediting improvements in road conditions, as confirmed by his secretariat.
The Government of Nepal has approved the use of an empty block in the Central Prison to house juvenile offenders over the age of 18 who have remaining sentences. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on December 18. The facility is expected to accommodate up to 500 juvenile offenders, addressing the issue of overcrowding in the nation’s eight correctional facilities, four of which are managed by the non-governmental organization UCEF Nepal.