Criminal justice experts argue that a shift in sentencing philosophy is necessary. Instead of defaulting to imprisonment, Nepal could adopt alternatives such as parole, probation, open jail systems, or cognitive behavioural therapy, especially for non-violent and first-time offenders.

In a significant push to reform Nepal’s prison system, the Himalayan nation’s minister for home affairs, Ramesh Lekhak on Tuesday vowed to transform correctional facilities across the country into “industrial villages” aimed at rehabilitation, productivity, and human rights.

Inaugurating a newly constructed building at the Morang District Jail in Biratnagar today, Minister Lekhak emphasized that Nepal’s prison system must evolve beyond mere incarceration to become centers of skill development and economic empowerment.

“Although we are bound by legal provisions to imprison convicted individuals, the government is equally committed to protecting their human rights and dignity,” Lekhak said. “We aim to modernise prisons into open correction homes and industrial villages, allowing inmates to be productive and self-reliant.”

The newly constructed facility in Morang, built at a cost of Rs 361.29 million, can house 218 male and 99 female inmates. It was constructed within the old district jail premises at Hathkhola and is part of a broader plan to alleviate overcrowding and improve prison conditions.

Lekhak’s announcement reflects a wider vision to overhaul Nepal’s prison system, which currently faces acute overcrowding. Official data shows that the country’s 74 prisons house 18,881 inmates, nearly double their total capacity of 10,608. To address this, the Department of Prison Management (DoPM) has proposed building 17 new prisons at a projected cost of Rs 1.677 billion and has acquired 535 ropanis of land to build an open prison for 5,000 inmates.

A New Paradigm: Prisons as Industrial Villages

At the heart of Lekhak’s vision is the transformation of prisons into industrial villages – a model that promotes vocational training and income-generating work for inmates. This concept aims to turn economically inactive detainees into productive contributors, both during and after incarceration.

The industrial village initiative includes setting up vocational training programs, establishing prison-based factories, and introducing work opportunities that pay daily stipends. An example is the Central Jail Factory, where inmates produce fabric items such as bedsheets and towels. These programs help prisoners acquire marketable skills and support their reintegration into society.

Rewati Raman Bhandari, minister of internal affairs and law for Koshi Province, who was also present at the event, stressed that this shift not only utilises inmate labour productively but also upholds their rights.

“We are on the side of human rights, and the new prison infrastructure will offer better facilities while engaging inmates in meaningful activities,” Bhandari said.

Prison Reform: A Matter of Cost and Justice

Nepal’s current prison framework faces mounting scrutiny – not just for overcrowding but also for inefficiencies in the justice system. Many inmates are held for minor or victimless crimes such as drug possession or prostitution. Moreover, due to delays in judicial processes, a significant proportion of inmates remain in pre-trial detention. According to a study in 2009, only 41 per cent of the prison population had been convicted, while 59 per cent were awaiting trial.

This inefficiency translates into rising costs for the state. Incarceration not only requires construction and operational funding, but also long-term expenses for food, healthcare, security, and administration. With 18,881 inmates – many of whom are of working age – the economy also loses a significant labour force.

“Taxpayers are funding a system that may not deliver proportionate social benefit,” said Narayan Bhattarai, director general of the central department of prisons. “We must reassess whether extended incarceration, particularly for low-level offenders, is the most effective use of public resources.”

Bhattarai added that reducing the number of incarcerated individuals could significantly lower costs and create room for more targeted rehabilitation.

Alternatives to Incarceration

Criminal justice experts argue that a shift in sentencing philosophy is necessary. Instead of defaulting to imprisonment, Nepal could adopt alternatives such as parole, probation, open jail systems, or cognitive behavioural therapy, especially for non-violent and first-time offenders.

These alternatives have been shown globally to reduce recidivism rates. Inmates who remain integrated with society through work and family have lower chances of reoffending compared to those kept in isolating and punitive environments.

Lawmaker Amanlal Modi and provincial assembly member Bhim Parajuli echoed this sentiment at the Morang inauguration, calling for holistic reforms that reduce incarceration while ensuring public safety.

Infrastructure and Collaboration

The successful implementation of industrial village prisons depends on investment in infrastructure – clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and space for workshops and classrooms. Pradeep Kumar Singh, chief of the federal urban development and building construction office, noted that these improvements are already underway in some facilities.

However, resource limitations remain a significant barrier. Officials say that collaboration with NGOs, the private sector, and international partners will be vital to scaling up the model across Nepal.

Chief district officer of Morang, Indradev Yadav, expressed his commitment to improving inmate welfare and ensuring that correctional facilities align with international human rights standards.

“This is not just about buildings; it’s about building lives,” he said. “We must treat inmates as individuals capable of transformation.”

As Nepal undertakes the dual challenge of decongesting its prisons and rehabilitating inmates, the industrial village model offers a promising blueprint. If implemented effectively, it could reduce the long-term economic burden on the state, improve living conditions for inmates, and pave the way for a more just and humane correctional system.

But success will require more than new buildings. It will demand legal reform, systemic accountability, and a national consensus that prisons should be places of transformation—not merely confinement.