Reps Seek Amnesty For Inmates To Decongest Prisons

The House of Representatives has asked the federal government to grant amnesty to deserving inmates to help decongest the 244 correctional centres across the country.

In a motion sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Okay (APC, Ebonyi), it prayed to the Federal Ministry of Justice to prevent delays in justice dispensation in the country and enhance the process of meeting bail conditions.

The motion also prayed the federal and state governments to provide comprehensive reforms of the country’s correctional system, including modernising custodial centres, building new facilities, and redesigning the bail system.

Adopting the motion, lawmakers also resolved to put in place appropriate legislation that will allocate time for the speedy dispensation of justice and reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial across the country, while examining the role of the federal and state governments in the correction of inmates.

Lawmakers also called for sustainable, efficient solutions to address the congestion in 244 jails nationwide and the effective implementation of non-custodial measures, while devising and promoting effective reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.

In a lead debate, Hon. Ogah said the Nigerian prisons, outlined, were mandated to reform, rehabilitate, and ensure effective reintegration of offenders into society in line with universally accepted standards.

According to him, over 70,000 inmates in the country face inadequate facilities despite government efforts, and some have not been charged with criminal cases, while some are unable to pay the fines imposed by the courts despite having their cases determined.

He alleged that the “Nigerian criminal justice system is plagued by flaws, with cases often lingering without resolution for years, thus overcrowding the correctional centres in various geopolitical zones

“Data system reveals that federal offenders comprise less than 10% of correctional system inmates, leaving over 90% to state offences

“Overcrowding of the Correctional facilities has led to a huge revenue drain for successive governments, leading to prison dilapidation, criminalization, and inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted ones,” he said.

He stressed that implementing the criminal justice system and the adoption of non-custodial measures would effectively reduce the overcrowding of national prisons.