Taplejung District Prison Overcrowded, Housing Five Times Its Capacity

The District Prison in Taplejung is facing a severe overcrowding crisis, housing more than five times its intended capacity. The facility, which is designed to accommodate 25 inmates, currently holds 145 prisoners, according to Kulendra Khawas, the chief of the prison.

The overcrowding issue is exacerbated by the types of cases being handled. Among the 145 inmates, 73 are jailed on rape charges, seven on murder cases, six for theft and robbery, three for road accidents, and one for arms and ammunition-related offenses.

The prison, located on a three-rope plot of land, consists of nine blocks but was not designed to handle such a large number of inmates. Officials are struggling to manage the influx of prisoners and maintain order within the facility.

The situation highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and resources to address the growing prison population in Taplejung.