FG budgets N22.4bn to feed inmates

The Federal Government on Thursday disclosed it would spend N22.4 billion to feed inmates in correctional centres nationwide.

This was stated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, at a two-day High Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management in Abuja.

Belgore stated that the fund is budgeted for in the 2023 Appropriation Act.

He said there has been a steady rise in the population of the custodial centres with at least 80 percent of the inmates awaiting trial.

According to him, there are 244 custodial centres nationwide, with a 75,507-inmate population, thereby leading to 82 of them being overcrowded.

The total number of male inmates is 73,821 and female 1,686 female inmates, he noted.
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.