The Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Tunde Ladipo, has disclosed that 6,290 out of the 8,191 inmates in custody across the five prison facilities in Lagos as at January 31, 2018 were awaiting trial
Mr Ladipo made the disclosure when he visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at his residence in Epe on Friday.
He said the visit was to remind the Governor of the request for some vehicles and equipment to enhance capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trial to the courts.
The prisons boss said 7,887 of the 8,191 inmates were male and 304 female.
They are held in custody at Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri; Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri; Female Security Prison, Kirikiri; Ikoyi Prison and Badagry Prison.
“The challenges towards fulfilling the responsibilities of effective prison duties are indeed overwhelming and seriously challenging especially in a State with a large inmate population like Lagos,” he said.
The Lagos Prisons Boss while commending the Governor for his developmental strides as well as massive support to security organisations within the state, said the Lagos Prison Command was working towards reforming prisoners, revealing that two inmates, Kabiru Tunwase and Oladipupo Moshood are currently pursuing PhD in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively.
Governor Ambode responded by donating vehicles and other equipment, saying it was his administration’s contribution to making the prisons more conducive.
Among the vehicles donated include five Toyota Hilux, five Green Maria and one Ambulance, assuring that the vehicles would be delivered by September.
Ambode expressed concern that Lagos was also having its fair share of congestion as over 70 percent of inmates across prisons in the state were awaiting trial.
“I am very concerned about congestion of prisons in the State. For a State like Lagos where development is ongoing, it is bound to attract people from across other States and neighbouring countries and this means increase in population. We are providing these critical assistance to the prison authorities to make them more efficient and make our prisons more conducive.
“However, there is no better time to carry out reforms in our prisons and it is necessary especially as regards the decongestion of the prison,” the governor said.
He assured that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who have shown remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.
Governor Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga to provide adequate health services for all for the prisons in the state so as to prevent any outbreak of diseases.
“Once a city is safe, people will be more productive and it also means more revenue will come into the State,” he said.
