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* FG increases feeding allowances for prison inmates
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that over 1,000 inmates at the correctional centres are pursuing their university degrees while six are studying for doctorates.
The service also disclosed that the Federal Government had increased the feeding allowance for prison inmates.
The allowance increment became pertinent following a viral video of an aggrieved inmates at a correction centre in Calabar, Cross River State, complaining about the inadequate feeding at the centre.
Umar Abubakar, the spokesperson for the service said this at the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee’s monthly press briefing in Abuja.
He said the increment was borne out of the rising cost of foodstuffs in the country.
He said: “The viral video is not a representation of Nigeria Correctional Service, nor is it a mandate of the service on reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Let me make this known here that since the inception of the change in name, significant progress has been made in reforming those who are in our custody.
“The NCoS has actually ordered a detailed investigation of the said video, which is going viral. On the outcome of the investigation, I may not be able to speak much on that.
“And on the issue of the cost of food, the Federal Government has actually reviewed the feeding allowance of inmates in our custody with 50 per cent. And this is just the first phase of the review.”
He added that over 1,000 inmates are undergraduate, 282 are on their diploma and Master’s degree and six undergoing their PHD programmes.
Umar said, “Let me say here that currently in an effort to ensure that we have what I refer to as public safety through our reformatory activities, we have over 1,000 of our inmates who are actually going through their various degree programme, 282 doing their diploma and master’s degree programme, and six that are doing their PhD programme. Three of the PhD students are already writing their thesis.
“All this is geared towards our efforts to ensure that we change the psyche and behaviour of our inmates, and to help their integration back to society."
