Udayapur District Prison, built to accommodate just 50 inmates, is currently housing more than four times its capacity, creating serious management and safety challenges.

Built in 1979 at Bokse in ward 10 of Triyuga Municipality, the prison now holds 222 male and 10 female inmates. Officials said the decades-old structure has deteriorated significantly, with cracks visible on the roof, walls and other physical infrastructure.

Prison administrator Ujjwal Subedi said a detailed project report for a new prison with a capacity of 200 inmates was prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Finance four years ago. However, the lack of budget allocation has forced inmates to continue living in unsafe conditions.

“Managing more than four times the designated number of inmates in a facility meant for 50 people is extremely difficult. The building itself is dilapidated, and the risks are obvious," said Subedi, adding that limited space has also made it difficult for inmates to engage in sports, physical exercise and other recreational activities.

According to the prison administration, 138 men and six women are currently serving sentences following court verdicts, while 84 men and four women are in judicial custody as their cases are sub judice. The prison also houses 14 inmates suffering from chronic illnesses who require regular medication.

For basic healthcare, the prison has only one auxiliary health worker on its roster. Inmates with serious medical conditions are referred to the district hospital and other health facilities as needed, Subedi said.

He also raised concerns over the daily food allowance provided by the state, saying it is insufficient.

“Inmates receive only Rs80 per day from the government for two meals and snacks. Families who are financially better off can send food or money, but inmates from poor backgrounds face serious hardship," he said.

Subedi noted that while incidents of inmates escaping have been reported from other prisons in recent months, Udayapur prison has not experienced such cases, attributing this to the good conduct of the inmate leaders responsible for internal management.

However, he said 92 inmates originally from Udayapur district had escaped from prisons elsewhere across the country. Of them, police have so far recaptured 16. Ten have been transferred back to their respective prisons, while six are currently being held at Udayapur prison.

To support rehabilitation and income generation, the prison has been running skill-based programmes such as making mudha (low stool made from and making traditional caps, with arrangements in place to help market the products they produce.