Prison decongestion: Kaduna Command erects more facilities

The Comptroller, Kaduna Prison Command, Mr Yazid Alhassan, says the command has commenced the construction of three facilities to decongest prisons in the state.Alhassan told news men on Tuesday that one of the new facilities, a one storey building within Kaduna Prisons, is almost ready for use.“There is one in Makarfi, which is 70 per cent completed while there is another in Kubacha in Kagarko Local Government area.“Besides, there are on-going renovations in almost all the prisons across the state,” the comptroller said.According to Alhassan, the new facilities, when completed, would accommodate additional 200 inmates.He further told newsmen that 75 inmates were released in the first quarter of 2017, including 21 inmates who could not pay fine or perfect their bail conditions.He appealed to judges to sentence convicts lesser crimes to community service in relevant instances rather than outright jail terms to decongest the prisons.“If that system is adopted, you will find less number of people going to prison.“The method helps because nobody wants to go to a community or market place where he will be mocked, to sweep; that will deter the person,” he said.Alhassan said the command in collaboration with National Open University would train over 100 inmates on carpentry, barbing, tailoring, hair dressing and computer appreciation this year.