The deputy Controller of Prisons, Ahmed Usman has disclosed the pathetic situations been faced by inmates in the prison. Chief Superintendent of Prisons, Fatumbi Sunday who received Senator Shehu Sani on behalf the Deputy Controller of Prisons said the prison was in dare needs of drugs, mats and mattress, toiletries and disinfectants. He stressed the…
The deputy Controller of Prisons, Ahmed Usman has disclosed the pathetic situations been faced by inmates in the prison.
Chief Superintendent of Prisons, Fatumbi Sunday who received Senator Shehu Sani on behalf the Deputy Controller of Prisons said the prison was in dare needs of drugs, mats and mattress, toiletries and disinfectants.
He stressed the need for inmates to be properly cared for as the less privileged of the society.
Mr. Fatumbi lamented the congested state of the prison, said Kaduna Convicts Prison which was initially built for 547 inmates, presently houses 1,283.
“Despite the frantic efforts of the government towards ensuring good treatment of offenders in the prison, we still have many challenges ranging from drugs to mats and mattress, toiletries and disinfectants.
“As at today we open out 1,283 while the prison was actually built to lock up 547 inmates. These inmates are human beings who eventually became less privileged whereby their freedom has been ceased and they need special care,” he said.
Responding, Sen. Shehu Sanu said “I am here first of all as a Senator representing the zone where this prison is located. Secondly, I am here as someone who has been here as a political prisoner during the military era.
“We have a duty as a democratic government to intervene and support the prisons. For those of you that have been following my activities on the floor of the Senate, you will testify that I have consistently raised issues about the deplorable state of Nigerian prisons. The Nigerian Prisons need more funding and all the support it needs to make our prisons proper Correctional Centres where inmates’ lives can be reformed before they serve out their terms and return into the society as good and responsible citizens.
“And as a political prisoner, I assure you that I shall continue to champion the cause of the Nigerian Prison and not only to champion the cause of the prison but to do everything humanly possible to support you to make this place conducive for human habitation towards fulfilling the purpose of its existence.
“I have heard your request and I assure you that before next Saturday, we shall address the problems you have raised here and now.
Senator Shehu Sani observed that the Nigerian Prisons have not witnessed any major change from what it was during the colonial rule adding that the welfare both the inmates and staff have not been properly taken care of, while noting that the prisons have not been fully funded.
“The prison service has not seriously changed from what was obtainable in the era of the colonial masters in the sense that the welfare both the inmates and staff of the Nigerian Prisons have not been properly taken care of and the prisons have not been fully funded. We will ensure that through legislation necessary funding will be provided for the resuscitation of the prisons as well as to provide an after prison terms care for the inmates.
“Right now, I am working on Bill that will make it a transition period for inmates so that after serving their prison terms, they can be taken over by institutions rendering to society the kind of skills these inmates might have acquired during their term. This will make their lives useful to the society they are rejoining.
The legislator also observed that all recommendations made by over 15 presidential committees set up to examine the myriad problems in the Nigerian prisons in the last 30 years were never implemented by successive governments but neglected.
“What I am simply saying is that these recommendations have not translated into implementation. So, we will do everything possible within our mandate as legislators to assist the prisons and for a prison like this that has the history of detaining very high profile political prisoners like Prof Wole Soyinka and others like Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti.
“I want to conclude by saying that my visit here today is mainly to see one of friends who is here, Dr. John Danfulani who is here as an awaiting trial. When I was once in detention in 1993, John Danfulani visited me and so today, I also have the honour to visit him. I am dedicating this visit to Dr. John Danfulani as a political prisoner. Whatever we shall later deliver is done in his honour,” he said.
Tanwa Ashiru
Tanwa Ashiru is a U.S Airforce veteran, and the CEO of Bulwark Intelligence Solutions. She holds an M.A in Intelligence Studies from American Military University (AMU) and is a Fellow of the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP).
Tanwa has provided services for various public and private sector organizations including: NATO, Nigerian DIA, U.S Army Africa Forces (USARAF), Total E&P, IBM Nigeria, U.S Embassy Abuja and many more.
She has featured in several international media publications including: BBC World, Arise News, CNBC Africa, The Guardian Nigeria, Channels Television, Financial Times, and many more.