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

(e)Not to order imprisonment for first offenders unless public interest so demandsin which case they must state their reasons in writing for deciding so.iv)That appropriate legislation to implement liberalization ofBail and the suggested positive sentencing policy as well as the introduction of otherrehabilitative non­custodial measures, mentioned in (iii) above should be enacted withoutdelay;a) Government should provide adequate resources and facilities which willenhance speedy performance of the functions of the Police, Ministry of Justice,the Judiciary and the Prisons Services, including the provision of appropriateequipment, stationery, vehicles, qualitative manpower in sufficient quantities.(b)Adjournments of criminal cases should be reduced to the barest minimum;v) The Laws relating to criminal procedure and evidence should be appropriately reformedwith a view to simplifying and expediting criminal trials.JOS PRISONIntroductionThe Jos Central Prison was formerly located at the palace of the Gbomgwom Jos until 1958 when itwas relocated to its present site in West of Mines. The walls and the bulk of the structures within theprison are made of stonewall. There are several cracks in the walls. This may tempt or aid escape andor pose a threat to the lives of inmates should they collapse.The infrastructures are dilapidated and need urgent rehabilitation. The prison staff seat on brokenchairs while the ceiling of some their offices is falling off. The prison as at November 13, 2006contained 774 prisoners made up of 428 awaiting trial inmates, and 346 convicts. However, the prisoncapacity is 1149 with staff strength of 200. It is therefore obvious that there are fewer inmates than thecapacity of the facility.FEEDINGThe kitchen at Jos Prison is dilapidated and needs general renovation. The kitchen is still in use. Theinmates cook their food by themselves in the kitchen. Food meant for inmates are prepared under afairly neat environment but there are patches of cobwebs on ceilings. The kitchen lacks general kitchenequipment like a grinding machine and a deep freezer. The cooking gas has been out of use for a longtime. The kitchen like the prison needs renovation. Water is scarce. The food of the inmates in thecondemned prisoners’ cell was left uncovered, exposing it to germs and other air­borne diseases.BEDDINGSThe beddings are scanty. Most of the beds do not have mattresses and the few mattresses, pillows andblankets available are worn and thin from long use. Some inmates sleep on bare floor at differentcorners of the cell. The beddings are not lice infested but the lighting of the cell is very poor. Thecondition of the cells is inhumane and degrading and a violation of 34 of Nigerian Constitution whichprovides for right to dignity of human person.HEALTHCARE FACILITIESThe prison has a dispensary. Even though some drugs were in stock, the prison Nurse complained thatthey are insufficient to meet the health needs of the inmates.41