The Federal Government said it is spending N22.44 billion to feed inmates across the country in 2023.
About 75,507 inmates spread across 244 correctional centres nationwide are currently being fed by the government, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore said on Thursday.
During a High-level conference on corrections and decongestion of custodial centres, Belgore said that 70 percent of the inmates were those awaiting trial.
He noted that a high rate of arbitrary arrests, delay in dispensing justice and inability to meet bail conditions had led to the congestion of 82 custodial centres across the country.
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“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.
“The Federal Government budgeted N22.44 billion in the 2023 appropriation to cater for the feeding of inmates. Failure to take action to decongest the custodial centres will come at a cost.
“The effects of overcrowding in the custodial centres have led to huge revenue drain for the Federal Government.
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“Dilapidation of the centres, criminalisation of the society and the inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted persons,” he said.
Belgore said there was need for holistic reform of the country’s correction system, including the modernisation of custodial centres for appropriate reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
