Jails For Reformation

In the complex and often contentious world of criminal justice, the concept of open jails emerges as a beacon of progressive reform, demonstrating a compassionate and practical approach to prisoner rehabilitation. Unlike traditional high-security facilities, open jails operate on principles of trust, responsibility, and gradual reintegration of inmates into society. As societies grapple with the efficacy of their criminal justice systems, it becomes increasingly clear that open jails hold significant promise for enhancing prisoner reformation at the same time ensuring public safety.

The model of open jails has brought a fundamental shift in perception of confinement. Traditional prisons often focus on punishment, security, and isolation, which can also foster resentment, fear, and detachment from society among inmates. Open jails, conversely, prioritise rehabilitation and reintegration. It feature a less restrictive environment where inmates have more freedom of movement and greater responsibility for their daily activities. By offering a more normalised environment, open jails help inmates develop crucial life skills, work habits, and social relationships which are crucial for their better integration in the society after their jail term. 

So far, prisoners in Nepal are being kept in traditional jails which lacks basic facilities. Currently, there are 28,698 total inmates in 75 prisons across 72 of the 77 districts in the country. However, one-third of total inmates are forced to live in overcrowded conditions in the three prisons of the Kathmandu Valley. Lately, in order to ensure the rights of inmate to live a dignified life and create favourable environment for their reformation and reintegration in the society, the government of Nepal has come up with the concept of open jails. To this end, the first ever open jail of the country has been built in Nuwakot.

According to a news published in this daily on Tuesday, the government has begun the process to relocate hundreds of inmates of the Valley in the open jail built in Nuwakot. Sundhara based Central Jail and Dillibazaar Jail in Kathmandu and Nakkhu Jail in in Lalitpur district are three jails of the valley which have been housing a total of 5,882 inmates. Currently, the Central Jail is housing 3,628 inmates whereas there are 705 inmates in Dillibazaar Jail and 1,544 prisoners in Nakkhu Jail. Considering the overcrowded situation, the Department of Prison Management is preparing to transfer the inmates from the Kathmandu Valley to the country’s first open prison in Nuwakot. 

Officials of the department have said that  the second phase construction work of the open jail has been completed and inmates of the Valley will soon be relocated. The construction works of the open jail project was started some 10 years ago. In the first phase, fencing was completed, and in the second phase, 13 blocks have been constructed. Buildings, including an administrative block, two buildings for Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, and five prison blocks, have been built at a cost of Rs. 554.562 million. The completed blocks can accommodate 1,370 inmates. 

For the relocation purpose, inmates from these three prisons in the Kathmandu Valley have been asked to prepare a list if they wish to be transferred there. The prison department has a plan to relocate only the prisoners who have been fully convicted upon the court's verdict from the Valley to Nuwakot. Detainees whose full verdict is yet to come and prisoners who are in pretrial detention or unable to post bail will not be relocated there. 

Despite their potential, open jails are not without challenges. To ensure proper adherence of terms and conditions of the open jail by inmates, it requires careful planning, monitoring, and support. Not all inmates may be suited for this type of environment, and selecting those who are likely to benefit from open jail conditions is crucial.