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FILE: Correctional facility.
A group, Prisoners Right Advocacy Initiative, has called for a probe into the poor feeding of inmates in custodial centres across the country.
PRAI’s Founder, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, said the probe should not be limited to the Calabar Custodial Centre, into which the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Sunday, ordered a probe.
The interior minister, on Sunday, ordered an investigation into the feeding conditions of inmates at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar.
The order by the minister followed a viral video alleging that inmates at the custodial centre were being subjected to inhumane treatment, including being served poorly cooked beans as breakfast.
In a statement on Sunday, the minister’s media aide, Babatunde Alao, vowed that if the allegation was found to be true, those found culpable would not be spared.
But speaking with The PUNCH, PRAI founder, Adetola-Kazeem, said the poor feeding of prison inmates was widespread.
“What has happened in Calabar prison is not strange. In fact, many of the inmates, particularly those who have support from their families, do not even feed from the prison’s kitchen and that is because of the deplorable state and the low quality of the food that is served.
“The Minister of Interior should not just focus on Calabar alone, let him have such unannounced visits to many of the prisons. There will be more to be done, it should not just be one. Beyond him, he should also send people as undercover to some of these prisons, then he will be shocked at the result of what he will be getting.
“Another angle to it is what is the budgetary allocation for feeding of inmates. In view of the economic situation in the country now, the inflation, the food prices, what is the government doing? Has there been an improvement in the budgetary allocation? They have to look at the foundational issues and ensure there is proper monetary and evaluation so that what has been approved also gets to the inmates these are meant for,” Adetola-Kazeem said.
In the statement on Sunday, the interior ministry said the minister viewed the Calabar prison incident as a serious breach of the standards of care and dignity to which inmates are entitled.
“He has directed a comprehensive and urgent investigation into this matter, and those responsible will be held accountable,” the statement said.
Tunji-Ojo also warned that any lapses in the quality of food, sanitation, and welfare of inmates would not be tolerated.
He added that the service must ensure inmates are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
“The Minister of Interior will not condone any form of mistreatment or neglect of individuals in custody,” the statement said, adding that the findings of the investigation would be made public, and necessary disciplinary actions would be taken,” he added.
