FG sets aside N22b to feed inmates in 2023

The Federal Government has disclosed that the sum of N22.44 billion has been set aside in the 2023 budget to cater for the feeding of inmates in all the custodial centres across the country.

The disclosure was made in Abuja on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore, at a two-day conference on ‘Decongestion and Corrections Administration’.

Belgore said the amount was due to the congestion of the custodial centres. He called for the reform of the service and custodial centre for the smooth rehabilitation of inmates.

He said, “The Federal Government budgeted N22.44 billion in the 2023 appropriation to cater for the feeding of inmates.

“There is the need for holistic Corrections reforms, including the modernization of custodial centres to ensure the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Stakeholders have stressed the need to build new facilities and redesign the bail system to actualize why we are here today. ”

“Presently, there are 244 Custodial Centres nationwide, with 75,507 inmate population, thereby leading to 82 Custodial Centres being overcrowded. The total number of male inmates are 73,821 and 1,686 are female inmates. Out of the 75,507 inmates, 52,436 are awaiting trial while 23,071 are convicted persons, with 3,322 as condemned inmates on death row.”

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