Aagya Khabar
Sarlahi

The District Prison in Malangwa, the headquarters of Sarlahi, is under severe administrative pressure due to housing far more inmates than its capacity.

The official capacity of the prison is 160 male and 50 female inmates. However, there are currently 333 male and 38 female prisoners. Alongside the female inmates, five children are also residing in the prison. According to Acting Prison Administrator Ashraf Hussain Gaddi, the male section alone has 177 inmates over capacity, making it difficult for them to find space to sit or sleep.

Hussain explained that the limited space has led to rooms, verandas, and even stairways being fully occupied. During the summer, the situation worsens inside, forcing the prison to set up tents outside for sleeping. The female section, however, does not face such physical space problems as it remains under capacity.

The Malangwa Prison houses inmates not only from Sarlahi but also from over 20 districts, including Rautahat, Mahottari, Bara, Sindhuli, Siraha, and Saptari.

According to inmate leader and guard Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, the lack of space means prisoners cannot engage in sports or even walk around normally. “Food and work are not a problem, but the cramped sleeping and sitting arrangements make everyone uncomfortable,” Chaudhary said.

Currently, inmates are engaged in skill-based activities such as carpet weaving, tailoring, and making stools. However, unlike in Kailali Prison, there is no large-scale production or skill development program in Malangwa.

For security, a police team led by a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) has been deployed, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Yogendra Kumar Khadka of Sarlahi District Police Office.