Lawyer Slams FG Over Prisons’ Inmates’ Conditions

A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Mr Simple Dioha, has criticised the Federal Government over the conditions of inmates of Port Harcourt Prisons.
Mr Dioha, who stated this while speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt last Monday, expressed dismay that the Maximum Security Prison which was built with a capacity of 700  inmates is currently accommodating 4,000 inmates.
He said that, while prisons were expected to reform inmates and make them better citizen, the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
According  to him, “our prisons are supposed to be reformatory but how do we expect reformation when the conditions of the prisons are excruciating?
He also said food served in the prisons were disgusting and adduced it as a reason why most inmates were looking gaunt and pale.
He said, inmates on awaiting trial are more in number than those serving various jail  terms.
Mr Dioha noted  that the justice system is not functioning well and pointed out that, for government to keep accused persons for long period of time contravenes the constitutional provision of fair hearing within reasonable time.
Mr Dioha also stated that there were persons who had been on awaiting trial for more than ten years, adding that, this is inhuman and not acceptable.

Chidi Enyie