OVERCROWDING OF PRISON POPULATIONS:THE NEPALESE PERSPECTIVE
Mahendra Nath Upadhyaya*

I. INTRODUCTION
Overcrowding of prisons is a common problem of so many countries, developing and developed. It is
not just the problem of correctional authorities; it is now a serious challenge and threat to criminal justicesystems. With the increasing use of imprisonment as punishment, prison administrations are facing varietiesof problems due to overcrowding of prisoners.
More than 9.25 million people are held in penal institutions throughout the world. In Tihar Jail, Delhi,
India, alone, 8,500 prisoners are in custody against a capacity of 2,500 persons. In Nepal more than 9,000
prisoners are in custody. In some prisons, the population is more than twice the capacity of the institution.
Overcrowding of prisons is the root cause of many problems experienced in correctional institutions, such asdeterioration of the living and working conditions of both inmates and staff.
It is evident that prison overcrowding causes a wide variety of problems in terms of both prison
management and the treatment of offenders, which often lead to problems with finance, human rights andeffective reintegration of offenders. When a prison environment become unduly painful, it also becomes
harmful, and prisoners carry the effects or consequences of that harm back into the free world once they
have been released. The use of imprisonment as a form of punishment and incapacitation is increasing inmost countries and overcrowding in many places is becoming a significant problem.
Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 says “No one shall be subjected to tortureor to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
The Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment
which was adopted by UN General Assembly on 9 December 1988, has some provisions which are relevant
here:
Principle 1
All persons under any form of detention or imprisonment shall be treated in a humane manner and withrespect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
Principle 8
Persons in detention shall be subject to treatment appropriate to their unconvicted status. Accordingly, theyshall, whenever possible, be kept separate from imprisoned persons.
Principle 24
A proper medical examination shall be offered to a detained or imprisoned person as promptly as possible
after his admission to the place of detention or imprisonment, and thereafter medical care and treatment
shall be provided whenever necessary. This care and treatment shall be provided free of charge.
Principle 28
A detained or imprisoned person shall have the right to obtain within the limits of available resources, iffrom public sources, reasonable quantities of educational, cultural and informational material, subject toreasonable conditions, to ensure security and good order in the place of detention or imprisonment.
* Under Secretary, Parsa District Court, Birgunj, Nepal.

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Principle 38
A person detained on a criminal charge shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release
pending trial.
Article 10 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights says “All persons deprived of theirliberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person”. The
same article also says “The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of prisoners the essential aim ofwhich shall be their reformation and social rehabilitation. Juvenile offenders shall be segregated from adults
and be accorded treatment appropriate to their age and legal status”.
Rule 10 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners says, “Allaccommodation provided for the use of prisoners and in particular all sleeping accommodation shall meet all
requirements of health, due regard being paid to climatic conditions and particularly to cubic content of air,minimum floor space, lighting, heating and ventilation.”
Overcrowding itself is more than just a shortage of bed space; it has implications for the levels ofprogramme activity, hygiene, violence, etc. It can be an obstacle to the realization of many of the objectivesof a modern correctional system.

II. CURRENT SITUATION OF NEPALESE PRISONS
A. Brief History of Nepalese Prisons
Nepal’s first prison was established in 1914 in Kathmandu, the capital city. It was called the Central
Jail. The jail administration was under “Mukhtiyar” and the chief was Rana General. After the people’s
revolution of 1950, prison administration came under Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1963, the Prison Act
came into force and the Prison Rules were enacted in 1964. Before 1993, the management of prisons
was administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1994, the Department of Prison Management wasestablished under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Now, the management and administration of prisons is governed by the Department at central level andthe Chief District Officer is responsible for local levels. We have 75 administrative districts. There are 73
prisons in 71 districts. Four districts have no prison and two districts have two prisons. Only one remand
home, which is located in Kathmandu, is allocated for detainees. Usually, detainees are accommodated inprison with convicted prisoners.
There are two child correction centres for juveniles. They are located in Kathmandu valley. All theprisons are managed by the government and the child correction centres are established and operated byNGOs with funding from the government. Another jail has just been completed but is yet to receive transfer
red prisoners from other prisons.
We do not have separate prisons for females. Generally, male and female inmates are housed in separate
blocks within the same prison. However, in Central Prison in Kathmandu, there is a fully separated
compound for females.
All Nepalese prisons were established many years ago.
In Nepal, except for the one mentioned above, there are no remand homes especially for those on trial
and detainees. During the investigating period, after arresting the accused, the investing authority has tobring him or her to court within 24 hours. If the court gives an order to detain the accused he or she will behoused in police custody. The Public Prosecutor will prosecute the accused and refer him or her to the courtwith the charge sheet. Then court decides whether the accused will have to stay at prison for the trial period
or get bail.
Due to over pressure of detainees and convicted persons both are accommodated in the same prison in
Nepal. All the prisons are closed prisons. We have statutory provision for open jails but thus far it has notcome into force. The government is prioritizing infrastructure i.e. suitable land in appropriate areas.

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B. Prison Population
The prison population, as of 13 March 2009, is 8,491. There are 86 dependents also. The two childcorrectional centres accommodate 156 juveniles. Among the prisoners, there are 7,916 males and 575
females. Among them, 501 are foreigners. There are 5,003 detainees and 3,488 convicted prisoners. 59% of
the prison population are under-trial whereas only 41% are convicted.
Under Trial

Convicted

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

4711

292

5003

3205

283

3488

7916

575

8491

The official accommodating capacities of the 73 prisons is 7,233, but there are 8,491 inmates. The prisonswere established many years ago, and the infrastructure and other physical facilities are same as when they
were built. Besides this, it is better not to use some buildings in the prison premises.

C. Staff
There are 621 staff for 73 prisons. Among them, 600 are administrative and 21 are medical personnel. We
have a hospital for prisoners in Kathmandu. There are 13 staff; among them, five are medical staff. The staffto-inmate ratio is 1:14. The medical staff-to-inmate ratio is 1:404.
Administrative

Medical

Total

600

21

621

D. Medical Facilities
There is a prison hospital in Kathmandu. In other prisons, health workers and assistant health workers
oversee the medical section. Inmates will get medical treatment in other hospitals near the prison.
E. Situation of Overcrowding
As explained, the capacity of 73 prisons is 7,233 but there are 8,491 inmates now. It clearly shows that
overcrowding of prisons exists in Nepal. The capacity of prisons varies from prison to prison. Prisons locatedin urban areas have greater capacity than those in rural areas.
Kathmandu prison can accommodate 1,500 inmates whereas the prison in Manang district only has
capacity for six. Of the 73 prisons, 41 are overcrowded. In 12 prisons, inmate numbers are more than double
the capacity. One prison is overcrowded by 400 percent and another by 300 percent. The prison in Chitwan
has capacity of 55 but now there are 246 inmates.
Sample of comparative data of four prisons is given below.
PrisonKathmandu
Jhapa
Chitwan
Rukum

Prisoners
Capacity
1500
200
55
15

Inmates
1505
328
246
21

Staffs

Ratio

26
17
13
10

58:1
19:1
19:1
2.1:1

III. CAUSES OF OVERCROWDING
There are so many causes of overcrowding of prisons. They vary from nation to nation. Rising crime
rates, socio-economic conditions, and the effectiveness of criminal justice systems affect overcrowding.
A. Delayed Criminal Justice System
One of the causes of overcrowding of prison is the increasing number of detainees on trial. Like Nepal,
in most countries. where this problem exists, more than 50% of inmates are on trial. In Nepal, the ratio of107

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detainees to convicted prisoners is 1.43:1.The delay in bringing offenders to trial is commonly accepted as amain cause of prison overcrowding.
In our criminal justice system, there are procedures which courts must follow. They are time-consuming,and because of these procedures, the final hearing of detainees can take a long time. There are so manycases pending in our courts. Backlogs are so high. This is a cause of overcrowded prisons.

B. Tougher Sentencing
In some countries, like Nepal, imprisonment is considered an effective punishment. The legal system ofmany countries emphasizes imprisonment as an effective and powerful weapon against crime. The generalpublic always demands that the offender be punished severely and imprisonment is the last resort. Likeother countries, the legal system supports tougher sentencing.
C. Increase in Crime Rate
One of the major causes of the increasing prison population is the increasing crime rate worldwide.
Socio-economic conditions are responsible. Unemployment and poverty lead young people towards criminal
activities. Exposure to electronic media is also a factor in the increasing crime rate.
D. Effectiveness in Police and Prosecution Operations
An effective criminal justice system is also a component of overcrowding of prisons. Effective and proper
investigation and appropriate prosecution lead to conviction and that affects the prison population.
E. Lack of Alternative Measures to Imprisonment
We have few alternative measures to imprisonment except fine. In our penal system, an accused, if
convicted, will get imprisonment or a fine. Alternative measures such as probation and parole have been notaccommodated in our legal system so far. In petty offences, the courts can impose a fine on the accused, but
in other cases, he or she will be imprisoned as prescribed by law.
F. Inadequate Bail System
In Nepal, there is a statutory provision that directs courts to place an accused on remand and send him or
her to prison if he or she is charged with an offence punishable with more than three years’ imprisonment if
convicted. Bail is applied only for offences which are punishable with less than three years’ imprisonment or
only a fine. In some specific cases, if there is a probable cause or reasonable ground for the court to suspect
the accused is guilty at the first hearing, the court can issue an order to remand the accused to prison.
G. Fine Defaulters
In Nepal, there are many laws under which an accused will be fined if found guilty. Due to the socioeconomic condition of our country, some are really unable to pay that fine and others don’t want to pay
and are prepared to go to prison for a certain period of time. The maximum term of imprisonment for nonpayment of a fine is four years. After four years’ imprisonment, he or she will be released whatever theunpaid sum is. In our country, there is another special statutory provision of imprisonment in civil matters. If
the defendant is unable to or unwilling to pay the sum ordered by court to the plaintiff, the plaintiff can apply
to the court to keep the defendant in jail. The cost of keeping the defendant in prison will be paid by theplaintiff.
IV. EFFECTS OF OVERCROWDING OF PRISONS
Overcrowding of prisons is not only the problem of inmates but also of concerned authorities. It affects
the criminal justice system and correctional programmes of the countries concerned.

A. Lack of Space and Facilities to Accommodate Inmates
The major problem of overcrowding of prisons is lack of space for inmates. Every prison has its own
specific capacity and facilities. If the prison is built for 100 persons, how can the authority provide space andfacilities for 150 persons? For example, a prison in Jhapa, eastern Nepal, has 328 inmates. But the capacityof that prison is only 200. This is just an instance; there are so many prisons where the number of inmates istwice the capacity.

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B. Strain on Staff
Overcrowding always has an adverse effect on administration. Staff cannot provide basic facilities. They
don’t have sufficient space, logistics, and medical facilities for inmates. They have to work overtime, and thequality of their work detenorates. It also causes health problems because they are exposed to an unhealthy
environment. The staff of overcrowded prisons are stressed, which affects them physically and mentallyalso.
C. Tension and Stress Among Inmates
Overcrowding also increases tension and stress among inmates. There are few facilities for many
persons. Space, logistics, and medical facilities are insufficient. It leads to competition for resources, lessco-operation and more social withdrawal. It will increase disruptive behaviour. It may have physical andpsychological effects on inmates.
D. Effect on Correctional Programmes
We cannot expect a good outcome from overcrowded prisons. Correctional facilities are for correctionof inmates but nobody can be corrected in an overcrowded situation. They have insufficient facilities to feelsecure and at ease. If somebody is not feeling at ease, how can he or she go on in a positive way? He or she
will face many problems througout the day. The management cannot run correctional programmes smoothly
in a correctional facility because of lack of facilities. They cannot provide work opportunities, books for the
library or recreational materials effectively.
E. Violation of Human Rights and Dignities
As mentioned above, Principles 1, 8, 24 and 28 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All
Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (A/Res/43/173, adopted by UN General Assemblyon 9 December 1988) and Rule 10 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Prisoners set someinternational standards.
In an overcrowded prison, no one can expect the above standards to be met, and that clearly violates
human rights and human dignity also.

V. ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT
We do not have so many alternatives to imprisonment in the Nepalese legal system. The following
measures contribute as alternatives.

A. Use of BailIf statutory provisions for bail are properly exercised, they can help in minimizing the prison population.
In our legal system, there are so many provisions under which the accused will be liable to a fine or
imprisonment for more than three years. Cases punishable with more than three years’ imprisonment suchas human trafficking and transportation and espionage, are unbailable.
B. Speedy Trial
In our prisons, there are more detainees than convicted criminals. This is because of delays in theadministration of the criminal justice system. We have so many backlogs in our courts. The detainees haveto a long time for their final hearing. To clear the backlog and for an effective justice system, the Judiciary of
Nepal has adopted a strategic five year plan. This is the final year and the results are positive. The plan setsa timeframe for disposal of backlogs. The plan has fixed core functions and areas of strategic intervention forcourt management and speedy justice.
C. Early Release
This is a better solution to prison overcrowding. We have statutory provisions for remission or pardon.
If a convict serves 50% of his or her imprisonment and is of good character, he or she may be released. The
government releases convicted prisons on various national occasions, giving a pardon for their remaining
imprisonment. If the quantity of pardon increase, the prison population will surely decrease.

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D. Resources
The prisons in Nepal were established and built many years ago. They have same the space andfacilities now as at the time of their establishment. Old buildings, problems in sanitation, and little space forinmates are common phenomena. So we have to enhance prison infrastructure and resource allocation. The
Government is constructing new buildings in various prisons and increasing budgets for other facilities.
E. Open Prison
The Prison Act of Nepal has a provision for open jail. It has not come into force yet. The government isbusy locating a suitable area and infrastructure for that purpose. If this provision came into force, it would
be another effective countermeasure. If the prisoner is sentenced to more than three years’ imprisonmentand serves one third of that sentence, he or she can be sent to open jail. The prisoner has to apply to the
Department of Prison Management for this purpose. We have exceptions: prisoners who are convictedof human trafficking, rape, narcotic drugs, corruption, espionage, trafficking in protected wild life etc. areineligible and cannot be recommended for open jail. This system is the main focus of this paper and is why it
is discussed in detail in part VI below.
F. Community Service
We have another effective countermeasure in our jail law. According to that provision, the court can send
an offender who is liable to less than three years’ imprisonment to complete community service.
G. Conversion of Imprisonment into Fine
There is a statutory provision that says the court can convert imprisonment to a fine. If the accused has
no criminal record and if the offence is punishable with less than three years, the court can order him or her
to pay a certain sum and go free. The sum will be fixed by court at Rs. 25 per day.
VI. OPEN PRISON: AN EFFECTIVE COUNTERMEASURE
AGAINST OVERCROWDING
In the Nepalese legal system, there are some countermeasures which can be applied against
overcrowding of prisons. They are bail, fine, early release, community service and open prison. Bail can beapplied at the trial stage and others at the stage of conviction. The Prison Act 2009 provides for open prisonand community service. These provisions were introduced in August 2009 by amending that law. According
to the Prison Act, prisoners who are sentenced to more than three years’ imprisonment can be sent to open
prison and those sentenced to not more than three years can be sent for community service.
Among the prison population, there are higher numbers of offenders who were sentenced to more than
three years’ imprisonment than those who were sentenced to less than three years. That is why open
prisons will be the most effective countermeasure against overcrowding.
Article 2(j) of the Prison Act has defined an open prison as a certain area to accommodate convictedprisoners, from where they can go outside for work at a given time.

A. Rationale
Article 10 of the Prison Act gives a rationale for sending prisoners to open prison. It says that the Nepal
Government can send detainees and convicted prisoners to other work if it feels it is necessary for thehealth and financial betterment of prisoners.
In open prison, the prisoner can live with his or her family. He or she can take any job. It helps him or
her to socialize with other members of society. He or she feels his or her duties and responsibilities towards
society and his or her family. When in a closed prison, there is no responsibility to bear. Prison is not only
for detention, it is also for correction of certain thinking and behaviour patterns. The main purpose ofcorrectional institutions is to change or reform positively. Open prison will help in achieving that purpose.

B. Eligibility
The basic requirement to be in open prison is that the prisoner should be sentenced to more than three
years’ imprisonment and already have served one third of that. Prisoners convicted of human trafficking,rape, narcotic drugs, corruption, espionage, trafficking in protected wild life or archeological goods,
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absconding from prison and customs defaulting, are not eligible for open prison. Prisoners who are not ofgood character in prison or who are mentally abnormal are also ineligible.
Rule 16B of the Prison Rules lays down the process for recommending prisoners to open prison.
Prisoners who are eligible according to Article 10C can apply to the Department of Prison Management. The
Department will forward the application to the central committee for Community Service and Open Prison,
the composition of which is described in chapter D. The committee will examine the following issues anddecide whether or it should recommend open prison:(i) the circumstances in which the prisoner committed the crime,(ii) his or her character in prison;(iii) age; and(iv) nature of self-employment and benefit and conditions of employment fixed by the employer.
According to rule 16B, if the committee recommends that a prisoner be sent to open prison, theDepartment of Prison Management gives such permission. Before that, the prisoner has to sign a bond. The
bond consists of certain conditions. If the prisoner is being employed as an employee, the Department will
make a memorandum of understanding with the employer. If the prisoner wants to do something on his or
her own, the Department will state that in the bond.

C. Conditions
The prisoner has to obey some rules while he or she is in open prison. The conditions are fixed by rule
16B (6). According to that rule, the prisoner has to go out and come in at a given time. They are supposed toreside within the area fixed in the bond. They are not allowed to keep persons other than his or her family
members within the prison camp. If the inmate breaches these conditions, he or she will be sent back toclosed prison and become ineligible for open prison after that.
D. Open Prison Management Committee
According to rule 16C(1), there will be a committee at the central level to give advice andrecommendations on the operation and management of open prisons to the Department of Prison
Management. It will be headed by the Director General of the Department of Prison Management
and the members will be a Senior Superintendent of Police from Police Headquarters, a Legal Officer
from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Under Secretary from the Ministry of Law and Justice, and two
representatives from NGOs working in the sector of prison reform and social service. The secretary will be
the Director of the Department of Prison Management. At district level, there will be another committee
for this purpose which is chaired by the Jailor and members will be representatives from the District Police
Office, the District Administration Office, the Office of the District Government Attorney and one from anNGO.
VII. CONCLUSION
The problem of overcrowding of prisons exists in almost all countries, and is due to many factors, as
discussed above. Establishment of more prisons is not the best solution.
Each stakeholder is responsible for these problems and each has to take them seriously. Police, publicprosecutors, the judiciary, correctional authorities and the people in general, all have to pay attention tominimizing the prison population. We have to expand the use of non-custodial measures. What we haveto bear in mind is that human rights instruments require that the use of imprisonment must be the lastresort. Speedy trials, wider use of non-custodial measures, early release of prisoners, sending the person
in question to open prison and community service can reduce overcrowding of prison. There are so manyeffective countermeasures which vary from nation to nation. We have to adopt the measures which areappropriate for our legal system. In our context, open prison may be the most effective countermeasureagainst overcrowding of prisons.

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