March 20, 2018

The  National stakeholders committee on prison decongestion on 19th March 2018 facilitated the release of 139 inmates in Katsina, Daura and Funtua Prisons.

Sequel to the Controller General of prisons written Memo to the Federal Executive Council meeting on the level of congestion in prisons nation wide, the national stakeholders committee on prison reforms and  decongestion was inaugurated on the 31st of October 2017 by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and minister of justice Abubakar Malami (SAN)  under the chairmanship of the Honourable Judge of the FCT Justice Ishaq U Bello with the mandate to fast track the decongestion of prisons.

The categories of prisoners who benefited includes 139 Male and female prisoners sentenced with an option of fines but unable to pay. Similarly 5 regained freedom due to their health conditions, and very soon instruments of their release will be issued.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the committee Honourable Justice Ishaq U Bello charged those who benefited to be of good behavior and shun away from committing crimes and other social vices.

Speaking on behalf of the controller General of prisons Ja’afaru Ahmed, ACG Operations Abubakar Garba appreciated the efforts being made by Katsina State government under the able leadership of RT Honourable Aminu Bello Masari towards ensuring prison service achieved its statutory goals of Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of prisoners back to the society. Added that Aminu Masari is a first sitting governor in the state that visited Katsina prison and saw by himself the condition of prison facilities and inmates.

ACG Abubakar appealed to Katsina state government to provides Skill acquisition center in prisons or after care materials so as to go along way towards the Reformatory process.  He also urged general public to stop stigmatising the ex convicts.