FG Increases Inmate Feeding Allowance to N1,125 Amid Reform Efforts

• The Federal Government has raised inmates’ daily feeding allowance from N750 to N1,125.
• Over 48,000 awaiting trial inmates will have their cases fast-tracked to reduce overcrowding.
• The NPS plans reforms in inmate welfare, rehabilitation, and non-custodial measures.

The Federal Government has raised the daily feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria’s prisons from N750 to N1,125 per person.

The decision, announced by the Acting Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, aims to address rising food costs and improve the welfare of inmates.

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Speaking at his first meeting with senior prison officers, Nwakuche acknowledged the increase as a significant step but emphasized that more progress is needed.

“While it is not yet ‘Uhuru,’ I will continue to press for an improved rate,” he said.

The NPS has deployed monitoring teams from its national headquarters to oversee the distribution of meals and ensure accountability.

Nwakuche urged senior officers to collaborate with these teams, describing the task as a national priority.

In addition to improving feeding allowances, the NPS plans to focus on inmate rehabilitation.

The initiatives include expanding classrooms, enhancing vocational training centers, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability.

Nwakuche also pledged to prioritize the care of vulnerable groups within the prison system, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and physically challenged individuals.

Tackling overcrowding remains a critical concern for the NPS, with 48,932 inmates, representing over 60% of the total population, currently awaiting trial.

Nwakuche announced his intention to collaborate with the Attorney General of the Federation, police authorities, and judicial stakeholders to expedite the prosecution of these cases, especially those involving non-bailable offenses like armed robbery and murder.

To further address congestion, Nwakuche called for increased use of non-custodial measures such as community service and early release mechanisms.

He urged state chief judges and attorneys general to embrace these alternatives to reduce the influx of inmates.

The Acting Controller General also issued a stern warning to officers, stressing that issues like escapes, riots, and facility attacks, often linked to negligence, must not recur.

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He directed officers to resume regular inspections and conduct weekly searches of prison facilities, highlighting weak structures and other urgent needs in their reports.

Nwakuche’s administration is committed to reforming the prison system, enhancing inmate welfare, and ensuring accountability, signaling a renewed focus on rehabilitation and justice within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

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