Prisoner Assistance

PA Nepal is involved in a large number of projects with Nepalese Prisoners, many of whom are women and suffer from injustice within the legal system. Below are just a few of the projects we are involved in:

Central Female Jail Skills Training Project

Following research conducted in 2001 it was established that:

• The greatest needs expressed by prisoners were:

1. Access to clean water
   
2. Access to health services
   
3. Access to education

• A number of prisoners had already had skills training
  
• All prisoners expressed an interest in practical vocational skills training
  
• All prisoners expressed a wish to earn money

The project employs three trainers in the central female jail and classes are run throughout the day. So far, 60 prisoners have benefited from the training. The aim is to equip the women with essential skills, such as knitting and tailoring, which will enable them to repatriate into society more effectively. In addition, PA Nepal provides regular literacy, childcare and social classes for the women. Bee keeping program in the Nakhu jail.

Education and Training in Prison

PA Nepal runs a number of courses for people in jail on topics such as hygiene, healthcare and English language. It has also been responsible for organizing a number of social events in the female jail, including an annual Children's Day.

Supporting Children in Jail

PA Nepal is active insupporting children who are living in jail with a parent and has established a day care centre for kindergarten children. These are mostly under 5 years of age and are living with their mothers in the female jail. PA Nepal provides nutritional food, counselling for mothers, emergency medical care and educational support activities.

Support for Released Women

PA Nepal provides support for vulnerable women who face destitution when they are released from prison. Over the past 2 years over 17 released women have received help and support in reintegrating them back into society either through the provision of temporary shelter or support in returning to their village.

Project for the Mentally Ill

PA Nepal has been providing support for the mentally ill in jail since its inception (arranging for medication, providing basic needs) and more recently has run a project for the mentally ill in coordination with ded (German Government Service) Nepal.

Treatment of mental illness is still in its infancy in Nepal and receives little attention with the central jails despite its prevalence. It is estimated that there are 8 mentally ill in the female central jail, 15 in Bhadra Bandi Griha jail (3 acute), 8 in the central jail and 3 in Nakhu jail. Despite these figures the only facility to handle these people is the special unit in Dulikhel jail.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Survey the numbers and condition of the mentally ill in jail
  
• Assess the needs of the mentally ill in jail
  
• Evaluate the quality of the treatment that they currently receive
  
• Pilot treatment and therapy programmes
  
• Pilot training and awareness programmes for prison staff and prisoners
  
• Recommend ways in which the needs of the mentally ill can be met in future
  
• Suggest ways in which treatment and therapy programmes can be replicated throughout Nepal