Biratnagar, April 11 : The District Prison in Morang has recently released 27 detainees and inmates including a woman as per the March 25 decision bearing in mind the COVID-19 crisis. They were serving jail term on polygamy, road casualties, drugs abuse, smuggling of forest products, rape and forgery of government seals. They had only one year left for imprisonment.    
    
Meanwhile, the jail said that it was on high alert in view of the increased risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Inmates and detainees have been advised for frequent hand- washing properly and using hand sanitiser and face mask. They have been provided enough water, soap, sanitizer and masks, said jailer Shubhash Kumar Lamichhane, adding it would help them maintain personal hygiene.    
    
Besides, the prison management has been taking their medical updates regularly and they are being given medicines in need. They are regularly getting allowance for food and supplies of green vegetables gathered from rural areas into the prison. They face no food crisis during a nationwide lockdown against the virus, it is said.    
    
Worrying is the fact that against its capacity of accommodating 300 people including 50 women, the prison presently houses 90 women, 794 men and five children.