THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

last resort and for the minimum necessary period and should be limited toexceptional cases. The length of the sanction should be determined by thejudicial authority, without precluding the possibility of his or her early release.”Article 1 and 2 of United Nations Rules for the Protection ofJuveniles Deprived of their Liberty“The rights to liberty and dignity of the human person are fundamental human rights guaranteed bynational, regional and international instruments to which Nigeria is a party. The right to liberty can onlybe derogated from in accordance with strict procedures established by law. Dignity of the humanperson can never be compromised, be it for persons imprisoned or under detention. The state of theprisons in Nigeria clearly deviates from these provisions.KANO CENTRAL PRISONIntroductionThe Kano Central Prison was built in 1910 by the Kano Native Authority. The walls and the bulk ofthe structures within the prison are made of mud. The infrastructures are dilapidated and areyawing for urgent rehabilitation. The lock­up as at October 6, 2006 was 1,069 made up of 929awaiting trial inmates, and 140 convicts. However, the prison capacity is 690 with a staff strength of190. It is therefore obvious that the lock­up is far beyond the capacity of the prison.1. FeedingThe kitchen at Kano Central Prison is dilapidated and no longer in use. The inmates cook their foodin an open space near the kitchen, even during the rainy season. Food meant for inmates areprepared under unhygienic conditions and left uncovered, thereby exposing them to germs andother air­borne diseases.2. BeddingsThe beddings are scanty. Most of the beds do not have mattresses and the few mattresses, pillowsand blankets available are flat and worn out. Some inmates sleep on bare floor at different cornersof the cell. Most of the beddings are lice infested. This is inhumane and degrading and a violation ofSection 34 of the Nigerian Constitution which provides for the right to dignity of the human person.3. Healthcare FacilitiesThe prison has a dispensary. Even though some drugs were in stock, the prison nurse complainedthat they are insufficient to meet the health needs of the inmates.Eleven inmates had psychiatric problems but the prison has no facilities for the handling ofpsychiatric cases. A Psychiatrist comes to see them from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospitalperiodically. 9 inmates were living with HIV/AIDS and 11 inmates had contacted tuberculosis (TB).The TB inmates were isolated and kept in a cell under unhygienic conditions. At the time of visit,there were no retro­viral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients in the dispensary.Two inmates were with gunshot wounds and had carried the bullets in their bodies for 4 months atthe time of the visit. There were no surgical facilities at the dispensary to take care of such inmates.4. Recreational FacilitiesKano prison does not have recreational facilities. Such recreational facilities a football field, lawntennis, table tennis, volleyball and badminton courts, are absent.17