Hardship: Jos prisoners protest plan to slash rice, beans consumption

Inmates at the Jos Correctional Centre in their hundreds on Friday protested plans by the authorities of the facility to reduce their consumption of rice and beans.

The authorities are taking the measure as a result of the increase in the price of essential commodities.

The officer in charge of feeding had called the inmates together to inform them of the latest decision which came after discussion with the food supplier.

They were informed their consumption of rice would now be reduced to twice per week from four times a week.

This information did not sit well with the inmates who resorted to a violent protest, throwing stones and other dangerous objects at the staff of the centre.

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When contacted, the Controller of Corrections, Plateau State Command, Mr. Ibinule Raphael, confirmed the reason for the protest to Arise News.

“So this morning, as usual, I went to the yard to see what was going on there. I saw an officer addressing the inmates, and when I asked what was going on, he told me he was briefing them on the outcome of his conversation with the contractor that is billed to supply them with food this month.

“He said the contractor stated that he would not be able to feed them rice four times a week again because of the high cost of things in the market and could only cope by reducing it to twice a week.

“The proposal for last year was that inmate feeding should increase, which has not taken off. So, when he called them this morning to explain things to them, they didn’t like it. So, when I was informed, I told him to tell them to get back to their rooms, and they refused to go back.

“So, when they remained adamant, some canisters of tear gas were released, and gunshots were fired into the air to force them into their rooms. That was how we were able to save the situation. Before that, they had started throwing stones and other objects at the staff.

“Some of the personnel sustained minor injuries from the stones thrown at them but no inmates were injured as the situation was brought under control.”

The Jos Custodial Centre has 1,064 inmates comprising 1,035 males and 19 females.