The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about the coronavirus infection risk in prisons across the country.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the rights watchdog asked the government to become sensitive towards the health and safety of inmates, security personnel and prison officials.

Covid-19 cases have been detected in at least five prisons including the Central Jail in Kathmandu.

The commission had also asked the Department of Prison Management to report about the situation of the coronavirus spread in prison facilities and the initiative it has taken to contain the infection.

Earlier, some prisoners had demanded that their right to health and life is guaranteed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Prisons are at high risk as most of them host inmates beyond their capacity,” the commission said in its statement.

There are over 21,000 inmates in 71 prisons across the country.

The constitutional rights body has said that the risk of coronavirus spread in prisons is particularly high from those inmates who need to visit hospitals for various health conditions.

“The commission urges the government to keep the new inmates in quarantines for a certain period before mixing them with the oldtimers,” said the commission’s statement.