FG mulls establishment of courts in prisons

“We are looking on how to collaborate with the ministry of justice to cohabit both the prison and the courts so as to facilitate speedy trial  and administration  of justice” he said.

The NPS has over the years suffered neglect and had to grapple with the myriad of challenges which include infrastructural decay and logistic constraints.

The minister said while speaking at the commissioning ceremony said the additional vehicles and tractors will enhance the operations of the NPS by giving it a new face.

“Inline with the UN minimum standard for the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, the  assorted operational vehicles being launched today will facilitate the presentation of inmates as at when due and enhance operational duties and thereby guaranteee access to justice for all.

“The 22 tractors and the accompanying  equipment  will scale up the production capacity of prison farms centres. The projection is to make maximum utilization  of the available lands and human resources in the production of food for prisoners consumption and sale to the general public, ultimately reducing the financial burden on the federal government. In a way the NPS  is also making  it possible for it to contribute in government  policy of economic diversification towards  agriculture” he said.

He gave assurance that the federal  government will continue to strengthen the prison system in order to enhance it’s capacity to provide safe, secure and humane custody as well as implement credible reformations and rehabilitation  programmes in line with global best practices.

Earlier in his welcome address, the controller of prisons Ja’afaru Ahmed said  the new tractors will complement the manpower   and also serve as a source of revenue for the government

“The intervention will  therefore it boost training activities and food production in line with the ultimate goal of putting the army of youths in the prisons into viable ventures. It is also the vision of the management to source significant quantity of food for feeding inmates from these farms and generate revenue for the government

ahmed called on both the local and state government to”support the? Nigeria prison  service in laudable initiative in order to  in bringing meaning to the lives of offenders in custody. We all need to generate a collective sense of social responsibility  and demonstrate compassion towards fellow citizen behind bars”he said.