The Controller of Prisons, Lagos State Command, Tunde Ladipo, on Monday lauded the Controller-General of Prisons, Ja’ afaru Ahmed, for providing essential materials including uniforms for officials and inmates across the country.
Mr Ladipo said in Lagos that the items would go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of officers and the inmates serving different jail terms in different parts of the country.
The items include mats, blankets, uniforms, berets, line-yard, shoes, furniture, antiseptic soaps, detergent, drugs among others.
The controller-general had in November 2017 distributed drugs to the country’s prisons, and Lagos received the highest consignment.
“On behalf of Lagos Command, we appreciate the good gestures of our amiable Controller-General of Prisons, Alhaji Ja’ afaru Ahmed, for these items which were distributed to us during the Yuletide period.
“This is first of its kind in a very long period of time and this will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the inmates in Lagos.
“The CG has kept faith with his promises to reform the service,’’ Mr Ladipo said.
According to him, officers and men of the prison service have been buying their uniforms and other items.
“We (officers and men) buy uniforms and other kits in the past, but now the materials have been given to them free.”
Mr Ladipo said the dearth of the basic items had forced the command to seek assistance from NGOs and religious bodies.
Some senior officers, who received free uniforms, shoes and other items, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the prison service, describing it as a boost to their welfare and morale.
“We give kudos to the new management for giving our welfare priority.
“Prison inmates have been experiencing health challenges with poor welfare while serving their jail terms but now they can receive treatment within the facilities,” a female health officer said.
A lower rank officer, who pleaded anonymity, said “We appreciate our CG for his efforts in reforming the prisons and attending to the needs of officers and men.
“The provision of the store items for inmates and also an increase in the feeding allowance of inmates are commendable,” the office said.
NAN
