Depression has been diagnosed among at least 300 inmates inside Jhumka prison in Sunsari district.

Dinesh Ghimire, the medical officer at the prison, said 40 inmates are suffering

from major depressive disorder, displaying symptoms of psychosis.

“These prisoners are not stable. They have been causing trouble for others,” Ghimire said.  

The prison holds 1,447 inmates, but the state only provides Rs 800,000 annually for prisoners’ treatment.

Jailer Ganesh Adhikari said besides the inmates with various mental disorders, there are also those suffering from heart, lungs, kidney and liver diseases.

“The treatment fund we receive is insufficient to treat the prisoners. The number of sick inmates is too high,” Adhikari said.