Protect inmates against coronavirus, Reps tell correctional service

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Correctional Service to take urgent steps to protect inmates of the various correctional centres across the country from coronavirus.

Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Mr Anayo Edwin, in a statement on Wednesday, said it had become necessary for the government to ensure that those in confinement were protected from the virus at this critical time.

Edwin urged the NCS to safeguard inmates and workers at the facilities from contracting the virus, while asking the service to put in place facilities in case of any eventuality.

The lawmaker noted that the House received, with dismay, the news about the collapse of the wall in the Warri Correctional Centre, where the roof of one of the buildings was also blown off after a recent downpour.

The committee chairman directed the authorities of the NCS to take immediate steps to provide succour for the inmates.

He said, “The facilities at the correctional centres are dilapidated and overstretched and there is a need for government to take steps to address the issue of decayed infrastructure.”