Taraba State government has commenced moves to decongest the Jalingo Medium Security Custodial Centre, which is currently holding more than twice its designed capacity, with plans to grant amnesty to deserving inmates.
The facility, built to accommodate 250 inmates, now accommodates over 500 inmates, while about 250 inmates are reportedly sleeping on mats, amid concerns over prolonged detention and delays in the determination of cases.
The state attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Maikasuwa (SAN), disclosed the planned intervention during a delegation’s assessment visit to the centre, comprising government officials, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Aid Council.
Maikasuwa said the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy would soon meet to identify inmates who qualify for amnesty under the relevant guidelines.
He stated that the criteria for consideration would include good conduct, ill health and inmates who had substantially served their sentences.
“We have this committee, which we call the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. There are guidelines on which the committee can make recommendations, including those bordering on ill health, good conduct, or persons who have substantially served their sentences.
“So, the committee will meet as soon as possible, and then amnesty will be granted to deserving inmates,” he added.
The State Attorney-General said the government would apply the stipulated guidelines in determining those qualified for the intervention.
He assured that Governor Agbu Kefas would intervene in areas requiring urgent attention at the custodial centre.
While describing the facility’s condition as fair, Maikasuwa acknowledged the need for further improvements, signalling possible government intervention to address some of the challenges facing the centre.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, Taraba State Command, John Francis, identified overcrowding, inadequate facilities and delays in the administration of justice as major challenges confronting the centre.
CC Francis called for the accelerated determination of cases, the regular review of inmates’ cases, and the increased deployment of non-custodial measures and plea bargaining where appropriate.
He also urged the government to consider inmates who had maintained good conduct, acquired educational or vocational skills and demonstrated evidence of rehabilitation for possible release.
The Controller, however, lamented the severe congestion at the centre, where a large proportion of inmates are said to be awaiting trial.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NBA, Jalingo Branch, David Philemon, said the Prison Decongestion Committee was working to reduce the inmate population.
He disclosed that the committee would also review the issue of fines to ensure that inmates were not unnecessarily kept in custody after meeting the conditions for their release.
