FG raises inmates feeding to N1,125 per day

The food of prisoners was being adversely affected by Nigeria's double-digit inflation rate in June of last year.

It was discovered that less than N500 for a three-square meal was actually used to feed each convict each day after taxes, gas expenses and food vendors' earnings were deducted from the N750 daily stipend.

Nonetheless, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Acting Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), pledged to keep pushing for an improved rate in accordance with the times at his first meeting with top officers from the rank of controllers of prisons.

He stated: "You will concur with me that Mr. President has kindly raised the inmate feeding rate from N750 to N1,125 each 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, ATPs.
In order to expedite the trial of these prisoners, particularly those convicted of non-bailable offences like armed robbery, murder, and others that account for more than 60% of ATPs awaiting trial, I plan to communicate with the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, and other prosecuting agencies and important stakeholders.

To further address the issues, I want to encourage you to connect with your state's leading judges, attorneys general, and police commissioners in the interim," he said.

He stated that overcrowding was undoubtedly the NPS's most urgent issue and that the judiciary will be consulted over the employment of non-custodial measures and early release mechanisms while working with state chief executives to speed up the trial of the more than 90% of state criminals already in custody.

In order to handle the flood of prisoners into her facilities, Nwakuche stated that his administration will investigate the window of opportunity offered by non-prison methods.

"I beg you to contact your states' chief judges, attorneys general, and other interested parties to capitalise on this; some of them need to be educated on this," he charged.Nwakuche read the Riot Act to the officers, emphasising that incidents of escapes, riots, and attacks—which were typically the consequence of laziness—should never be permitted to recur.

Such serious acts have dire repercussions and must be avoided at all costs. We've warned you. Deliver this message to your subordinates.You are hereby instructed to start up your quarterly inspections of the jail facilities under your jurisdiction and the command offices under your zones right away.

”Weekly searches should not be compromised, while weak structures and other matters that require urgent attention should be highlighted in such reports,” he charged.