Dignity of inmates in custody non-negotiable’, FG declares

The Federal Government has declared that the dignity and welfare of inmates across all the 244 correctional centres in Nigeria is a non-negotiable and any attempt to go against such would be resisted.

National spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, said that the agency has consistently sought to improve inmates welfare in line with global standards moving from punitive to reformatory measures since the change of its name from the Nigerian Prison Service to the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He stated this while responding to query from our reporter on the recent allegation of poor feeding of inmates at Afokang correctional center in Calabar, Cross River state yesterday in Abuja.

Umar who said the NCoS cannot confirm nor debunk the allegation in the viral video until the investigation ordered by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is concluded, assured that prisoners welfare is and would always be a top priority for the agency which is why it has continuously advocated for increase in the daily feeding allowance of inmates from N750 to N3, 000 of which the federal government has gracious agreed to a 50 per cent increase doubling the amount to N1, 500.

He said “The trending video that is alleged to come from one of our custodial centre showing that the dignity of inmates in our custody is degraded through the food in question is concerning but I want to assure that the care of inmates is always prioritized by the Nigerian correctional service.

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“The allegation is a serious issue that the federal government has always frowned at but until the committee set up to actually investigate such allegation concludes, the Service cannot speak much on it.”

Umar adds that “The current administration that is doing so much in ensuring that internal security of all citizens is assured. Furthermore, the responsibility of the Nigerian correctional service is to see that our mandate is achieved though reformation and rehabilitation.”

Recall the minister of Interior recently announced the immediate investigation of the incidence where a video surface inline purporting that poorly cooked beans is being served the inmates.

He warned that anyone found culpable would be dealt with if the allegations prove true.