Inmates Facing Critical Conditions In Overcrowded A/Ibom Prisons – Controller

The Akwa Ibom State Controller of Corrections (CC), Theophilus Okoka, has expressed concern over the plights of hundreds of inmates currently held at different prison formations in Uyo, Eket, Ikot Abasi and Ikot Ekpene local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, lamenting that inmates have overshot the carrying – capacities of the facilities leading to overcrowding.

He commended the State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Ekaette Obot, for facilitating the recent release of 101 inmates on health and other compassionate grounds, noting that such intervention has helped in decongesting the facility.

Controller Okoka, therefore appealed for urgent intervention, especially in the Uyo, Eket and Ikot Abasi custodial centres, lamenting severe overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure have combined to put the lives of the inmates under live – threatening conditions with many suffering from different ailments.

He disclosed this when the Akwa Ibom State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, with other officials undertook a working visit to the Uyo office of the Commission.

According to the Controller, the Uyo Correctional Centre, built to accommodate 613 inmates, currently houses more than 1,000 detainees, and requested for support in the provision of solar-powered lighting, potable water, vocational training equipment, mattresses and beddings, while inviting the NDDC officials to inspect the facilities firsthand.

The Controller explained that although the centres operate vocational workshops in trades such as carpentry, barbing, hairdressing and shoemaking, inadequate tools have limited effective skills acquisition for inmates.

Highlighting reforms under his administration, Okoka said inmates have been sponsored to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while others are pursuing higher education through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with some advancing to doctoral studies. He added that the Command is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to certify inmates who complete vocational training programmes.

Responding, Apostle Nkono, pledged to partner with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) to rehabilitate the dilapidated correctional facilities and improve the welfare of inmates across all the formations in the State.

Apostle Nkono said the Commission remains committed to strengthening security, promoting human capital development and implementing social intervention programmes across the Niger Delta.

He described the Correctional Service, as a critical security institution, deserves the Commission’s support, noting that its intervention extends beyond physical infrastructure to improving lives. He urged the Correctional Service to formally submit its requests, assuring that the NDDC State Office would forward them to the Commission’s management for consideration.

In his vote of thanks, the NDDC State Director, Engr. Evong Evong, appreciated the Correctional Service delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building a productive partnership aimed at addressing the challenges
confronting correctional centres in Akwa Ibom State.