The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), on Thursday, confirmed that the federal government has raised the feeding allowance for inmates by 50%.
The increase becomes effective from August 2024.
The spokesperson of the NCS, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the development in an interview with Punch, adding that the approval is part of efforts to address rising food costs and improve inmate welfare.
He added that the increase is just the first phase, and other adjustments are expected, all targeted at enhancing the living conditions of inmates.
“The inmate feeding allowance has been increased by 50 per cent, effective from August 2024. This is just the first phase,” Umar said.
“The FG will also consider additional reviews. This is just the first phase. Normally, there is a period when inmate feeding allowances are reviewed. Following a presentation during the budget process, the FG deemed it necessary to adjust the allowance due to the rising cost of food. Further adjustments are expected,” he added.
In other news, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that there are at least 3,590 inmates currently on death row within the country’s custodial facilities.
During an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC), Abubakar Umar, disclosed that the overall inmate population in Nigeria’s correctional centres stands at 84,741, which includes 82,821 males and 1,920 females as of September 3, 2024.
The NCoS representative reported that the number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) totals 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
Umar stated that many individuals in custody were Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), which presents a considerable challenge for the service due to their substantial numbers.
Nevertheless, he assured that the service is implementing measures to tackle this issue and facilitate timely judicial processing for the Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).
