Inmates get 50% feeding allowance increase

• Abubakar stated that the upward review was effective from August 24 and was being implemented to lessen the impact of the high cost of food in the nation.

The feeding allowance for inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCos) has been raised by 50 per cent, the federal government has disclosed.

The service spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, announced the development at the monthly news conference organised by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC).

This month’s conference was hosted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday in Abuja.

Abubakar stated that the upward review, which took effect from August 24, was part of the measure to lessen the impact of the high cost of food in the nation.

“The government has actually reviewed the feeding allowance of inmates in our custody by 50 per cent, and this is just the first phase of the review.

“The government is also looking at the next phase, where they will actually improve the allowances of the inmates,” he said.

He also said there was no iota of truth in the viral video depicting the dismal nutrition of inmates, adding that the footage did not reflect of the true NCoS mandate on reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

According to him, the minister of interior has ordered a detailed investigation of the video.

The spokesperson stated that since the change in name of the organisation, significant progress has been made in reforming those who were in our custody.

“We have what I refer to as public safety through our reformatory activities; we have over 1000 of our inmates who are actually going through their various degree programmes.

“We also have about 1,282 doing their diploma and masters degree programmes and furthermore, we have six that are doing their PhD programmes; three are already writing their theses.

“The strides recorded are due to the care and serene environment provided by the service for the inmates to pursue their education and acquire life skills,” he added.

Abubakar further stated that the move was part of efforts to change inmates’ psyche and behaviour to help in their smooth reintegration into society.

He said that the service, in collaboration with the chief judges of Ondo and Gombe states, facilitated the release of 72 and 185 inmates