The Hope Behind Bars Africa, a non-governmental organization, NGO, has called on the federal government to expedite the process of decongesting custodial centers across the country.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, Obinna Ejiogu, the senior communications manager of the NGO, emphasized the urgent need for the government to address the overcrowding issue and improve the physical conditions of custodial facilities.
The call comes in the wake of a disturbing incident where 119 inmates reportedly escaped from the Suleja Custodial Centre in Niger State following a rainstorm that severely damaged the facility on Wednesday night.
”The jailbreak underscores the effects of deteriorating structures of the Custodial Centres of the Nigeria Correctional Service, many of which were built in the colonial era and are now old and weak.
”The inadequate maintenance of these buildings, combined with overcrowding of the prisons is what contributes to a high likelihood of jailbreak.
”We call on the Government of Nigeria to do everything within its means to address the physical state of our custodial centres and to speed up efforts to reduce overcrowding.
”We also call on the public to pay more attention to issues concerning corrections in Nigeria, as they affect everyone’s safety,” he said.
Ejiogu added that jailbreaks have far reaching consequences on society, as it increases the threat to security, safety and public health of the people.
He said that the sad news was of particular concern to the Hope Behind Bars Africa, as the organisation had made extensive rehabilitation and reformation efforts at the Suleja facility.
Ejiogu said the intervention included the inauguration of a renovated skills centre for women in the month of March, as part of the organisation’s “Inside Out Hub” project.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
