From VICTOR GAI, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government is set to consider deserving inmates at the Jalingo Medium Security Custodial Centre for amnesty as part of efforts to address congestion at the facility.
The move followed a report on conditions at the centre, which has a capacity of 250 inmates but currently holds more than 500. The report also said about 250 inmates were sleeping on mats, while a large proportion of those in custody were awaiting trial.
A delegation comprising state officials, members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Aid Council visited the facility on Friday to assess the situation.
The delegation was led by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Maikasuwa (SAN), and received by the Controller of Corrections, Taraba State Command, John Francis.
Francis identified congestion, inadequate facilities and delays in the administration of justice among the challenges facing the centre.
He called for measures to speed up the determination of cases, regular review of inmates’ cases and greater use of non-custodial measures and plea bargaining where appropriate.
Francis also urged the government to consider inmates who had demonstrated good conduct, acquired skills or education and shown evidence of rehabilitation for possible release.
Responding, Maikasuwa said the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy was already considering the matter and would recommend inmates who met the requirements for amnesty.
“We have this committee we call the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“There are guidelines upon which the committee can make recommendations, either bordering on ill health, good conduct, and then persons who have substantially served their sentences,” he said.
“So, the committee will meet as soon as possible… and then amnesty will be granted to deserving inmates,” he added.
Maikasuwa said the committee would consider the relevant guidelines in determining inmates who qualified for the measure.
He described the condition of the facility as fair but acknowledged that improvements were needed, adding that Governor Agbu Kefas would intervene in areas requiring attention.
The Chairman of the NBA, Jalingo Branch, David Philemon, said the Prison Decongestion Committee was also working to reduce the number of inmates at the facility.
He added that the issue of fines would be reviewed to ensure inmates were not kept in custody unnecessarily.