Prison Decongestion: 1,300 Inmates Regain Freedom In Two Years

No fewer than 1,317 inmates were released from custodial facilites by the federal and state governments between January 2022 and December 2023.

This figure was obtained from media reports compiled by newsmen over the weekend.

The report revealed that the number of inmates in the various custodial centres across the country rose by 2,937 between 2022 and 2023, our correspondent gathered.

The release, through pardon Osun Defender learnt started during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, under the prison decongestion drive setup by the immediate-past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Aregbesola it was gathered inaugurated a special committee to meet with several stakeholders including those from the private sector to aid the release of inmates whose offences are neither not properly investigated, about serving out their jail terms, need to pay fines or other related issues, so as to decongest the overbloated custodial facilities.

Recently, a non-governmental organisation paid the fines delaying some inmates in detention, with the support of the incumbent Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who is building on the legacies of his predecessor.

Osun Defender gathered that in December 2022, the total number of inmates was 75,509, but has gone up to 78,446 in December 2023.

According to the latest summary of inmate population on the website of the Nigerian Correctional Service, out of the 78,446 inmates, 54,141 are awaiting trial. The figure comprised 52,800 males and 1,341 females.

Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 707 inmates were pardoned in 2022 and more than 610 inmates were pardoned in 2023.

According to findings, inmates were pardoned by state governors based on recommendations or after due consultations with the state Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

On October 1, 2023, Adamawa, Plateau, and Nasarawa state governments pardoned 24 prison inmates in commemoration of the 63rd independence anniversary.

The NCoS spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command, Adamu Duza, who recently spoke to newsmen said non-custodial measures should be given more consideration, adding, “The non-custodial measure is a major game changer in the business of corrections, as it not only an alternative to imprisonment but a means of decongesting our custodial centres, saving cost for the government, providing free service to the community and also a revenue generator.”