The Federal Government has increased the daily feeding allowance of inmates in its prisons from N750 to N1,125.
Speaking during his maiden meeting with senior officers from the rank of controllers of prisons, the Acting Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, promised to continue to press for improved rate, in line with the times.
He said, “You will agree with me that inmates’ feeding rate has been graciously increased by Mr. President from N750 to N1,125 per inmate per day. While it is not yet ‘Uhuru’, I will continue to press for improved rate.”
According to Nwakuche, monitoring teams from the national headquarters have been sent out to monitor inmates’ feeding.
He urged the senior officers to cooperate with them and see it as a national assignment.
While noting that the Service existed to serve the inmates, he said their welfare will be a top priority.
“Our efforts in reforming and rehabilitating inmates will also involve expanding classrooms, upscaling vocational skills centres, and fostering public-private partnerships to guarantee sustainability.
“Let me also reiterate here that the management of vulnerable persons in prisons, persons such as pregnant women, babies, nursing mothers, physically challenged etc, will be favourably taken care of,” he added.
Nwakuche also disclosed his resolve to fast-track the speedy prosecution of 48,932 awaiting trial inmates, as part of measures to decongest prisons’ facilities.
“At present, our statistics as of Monday, January 6, 2025, showed that 48,932 inmates in custody are awaiting trial persons.
“I intend to interface with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, and other prosecuting agencies and critical stakeholders to fast track the trial of these inmates, especially those on non-bailable offences, such as armed robbery, murder and others that constitute over 60% of awaiting trial persons.“
