The vehicles donated by Governor Ambode include five Toyota Hilux, five Green Maria and one Ambulance, assuring that the vehicles would be delivered to the Lagos Prison Services by September.
Ambode made the donation when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Prison Services, Lagos Command, led by the Controller, Mr Tunde Ladipo, at his residence in Epe, saying the donation was his administration’s contribution to make the prisons more conducive.
This was just as the governor expressed concern that Lagos was also having its fair share of congestion as over 70 per cent of inmates across prisons in the state are awaiting trial.
“I am very concerned about the congestion of prisons in the State. For a state like Lagos where development is ongoing, it is bound to attract people from across other states and neighbouring countries and this means an increase in population. We are providing this critical assistance to the prison authorities to make them more efficient and make our prisons more conducive.
“However, there is no better time to carry out reforms in our prisons and it is necessary especially as regards the decongestion of the prison,” Governor Ambode said.
He assured that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who had shown remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.
Governor Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr Olufemi Onanuga, to provide adequate health services for all the prisons in the state so as to prevent any outbreak of diseases.
“Once a city is safe, people will be more productive and it also means more revenue will come into the state,” he said.
The Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo, who spoke earlier, said the visit was to remind Governor Ambode of their requests for some vehicles and equipment to enhance their capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trial to the courts.
Ladipo said as at January 31, 2018, 8,191 inmates; 7,887 males and 304 females, were in custody across the five prison facilities in the state including the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri; Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri; Female Security Prison, Kirikiri; Ikoyi Prison and Badagry Prison.
He disclosed that out of the number, 6,290 inmates were awaiting trial and attending the various court jurisdictions in the state.
“The challenges towards fulfilling the responsibilities of effective prison duties are indeed overwhelming and seriously challenging especially in a state with a large inmate population like Lagos,” he said.
The Lagos Prisons Boss, while commending Ambode for his developmental strides as well as massive support to security organisations within the state, said the Lagos Prison Command was working towards reforming prisoners.
He revealed that two inmates, Kabiru Tunwase and Oladipupo Moshood were currently pursuing PhD in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution respectively.
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