Economic Hardship: Inmate Protest Reduction In Food Quantity

Amidst the economic hardship ravaging the nation, inmates at the Jos Correctional Center, Plateau State, staged a protest on Friday.

The protest, according to reports, began immediately after the inmates were informed of the downward review of food ration in the correctional center.

They were said to have shunned breakfast during the protest and refused to take orders from the custodial officials.

A report by Daily Trust noted that the inmates converged at the center of the prison yard while shouting at the top of their voices.

They were, however, dispersed by the custodial officials, who used tear gas to force them back to their rooms.

Confirming the incident, the Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, blamed the protest on high cost of living.

He said, “The problem has to do with the high cost of goods in the market. The contractor in charge of the foods said they are being forced by the price of food items to reduce the size of the plate of foods.

“So, it is the food ration that provoked the protest. I don’t think the protest is necessary because the food challenge and the cost of items is national issue that the federal government is already addressing.

“And I want to believe that since it is a national issue, whatever step is taken by the federal government to address it will be felt everywhere in the country, including the correctional centers.”