Controller decries congestion in Jalingo prison

The Taraba Controller of Nigeria Prisons Service, Alhaji Mustapha Atta, on Monday decried the congestion in Jalingo Prison.

Atta told newsmen in Jalingo that the prison which has the capacity to accommodate 250 inmates now contained 584 inmates.

“The Jalingo prison was built in 1916, with the capacity to accommodate 250 inmates.

“As I speak with you today, this prison is accommodating about 584 inmates, which is far more than its capacity,” he said.

The controller said 90 of the inmates, whom included 87 males and three females, had been convicted, while 494 of them were awaiting trials.

He expressed concern at the deplorable condition of the facility.

“The prison is very old and in need of urgent renovation. Its facility is over stretched because of the congestion,” he said.

Atta also expressed concern that the prison had only one functional vehicle for conveying inmates to the court.

He said the prison needed at least two more vehicles to discharge its functions.