Preparations underway to modernise Prison Act: Home Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has said preparations are underway to amend the Prison Act and make it relevant to the changing times.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee today, Minister Gurung said innocent Gen Z youths currently in prison would not be treated with a sense of revenge. He also said the government is serious about withdrawing cases filed in connection with the Gen Z movement.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam said the ministry is committed to making the necessary legal amendments to the Prison Act to protect prisoners’ human rights, ensure access to justice and strengthen effective monitoring of cases.

The committee discussed a report prepared by its subcommittee on monitoring the human rights situation of prisoners. During the discussion, lawmakers stressed the need to ensure clean drinking water, nutritious food, psychosocial counselling, and adequate educational and health facilities for prisoners.

They also called for arrangements for yoga and meditation for all prisoners and emphasised the need to provide special protection and facilities for women, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Lawmakers said prisons should not become places where human rights are violated. They called for impartial investigations into incidents of deaths, torture and physical abuse inside prisons and urged that those responsible be held accountable.

The lawmakers also stressed the need to end torture and physical abuse in juvenile correctional homes and ensure access to education, skill development, sports, creative activities and regular contact with family members.

Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki said effective psychosocial counselling should be provided to support the rehabilitation and reform of prisoners. He also emphasised the need for policy reforms in the judicial system.

Home Ministry Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha said the existing arrangements for the treatment and management of sick prisoners were inadequate. He called for proper treatment and regular health monitoring of prisoners with chronic illnesses within prisons, in line with required standards.

Committee Chair Samiksha Baskota said the meeting unanimously endorsed the Inspection and Observation Report on the Human Rights Situation of Children in Juvenile Correctional Homes.