Investigation committee submits 20-point recommendation report on Kanchanpur prison incident

Kanchanpur: The investigation committee formed following the beating of the main watchman, chief and assistant chief of Kanchanpur Prison on Poush 4 has submitted a 20-point recommendation report to the District Administration Office, Kanchanpur.

The report, obtained from the District Administration Office through the Right to Information, confirms that the committee has presented 20 suggestions aimed at improving prison management and security.

Coordinator of the investigation committee and Assistant Chief District Officer of the District Administration Office, Mohan Chandra Joshi, stated that the investigation identified several areas requiring improvement within the prison system.

According to the report, the prison library should be equipped with the Prison Act, rules, procedures and other legal books required by prisoners. While distributing cash and in-kind facilities provided by the government, the prison administration should gather all prisoners and collectively inform them of the details of the facilities each individual is entitled to receive. The prison administration should also hold discussions, consultations and interactions with prisoners at least twice a month.

Similarly, the committee has suggested closely monitoring prisoners with poor conduct and recommending their transfer when necessary. Suggestion boxes inside the prison should be opened regularly, complaints should be recorded in writing, and initiatives should be taken to resolve them. The committee also recommended arranging periodic transfers of prison administration staff to avoid keeping employees in one place for extended periods.

The investigation committee noted complaints that prisoners who make suggestions or lodge complaints are sometimes listed for transfer by internal administration or main commanders and forwarded to prison authorities. Therefore, it has recommended that such transfer processes be initiated only after a detailed study of the recommendations. Suggestions related to prisoners submitted by main watchmen, commanders and co-commanders should be carefully examined. Security personnel should conduct mandatory checks when prisoners return from hospitals or courthouses, and adequate security manpower should be deployed in sensitive locations such as prisons.

The committee has further suggested the use of modern technology during prison checks, the organization of regular interaction programs to maintain harmonious relations between prisoners and administration staff, the elimination of discrimination and favoritism among prisoners, and close monitoring by prison administration and security personnel to prevent illegal activities.

The report concluded that the kitchen poses a security risk, as the roof of the kitchen built along the south wall of Block ‘A’ allows prisoners to potentially escape by climbing the perimeter wall. The committee recommended managing the kitchen at another location.

It has also suggested preparing a roster of prisoners willing to operate facilities such as the kitchen, shop, sports equipment and salon run within the prison, and implementing a shift system. Additionally, the committee recommended that funds collected from activities such as ludo, carom, kitchen operations, shops and salons be deposited into a mandatory collective fund, with income and expenditure maintained in a systematic and transparent manner.

Other recommendations include making telephone and photocopy services within the prison affordable, accessible and reliable; selecting main watchmen, chiefs and assistant chiefs in accordance with prevailing standards; and installing CCTV cameras in the prison as required.

On Poush 4, prisoners assaulted eight main watchmen, chiefs and assistant chiefs, alleging corruption by administrative staff in service delivery. Following the incident, the investigation committee recorded statements from prisoners and submitted the 20-point recommendation report, emphasizing the need for reforms.

The investigation committee was coordinated by Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Chandra Joshi, with Administrative Officer Dharmaraj Upadhyay and District Police Office spokesperson Sagar Bohara as members. Chief District Officer Madan Koirala stated that improvements in the prison would be carried out based on the findings of the investigation report.