Inmates at Jos Correctional Center Protest Proposed Reduction in Food Supply

Inmates at the Correctional Center in Jos, Plateau State's capital, staged a protest on March 1 over plans to reduce their food supply. The protest was sparked by news of the impending reduction, leading to agitation among the inmates. They refused to obey custodial officials and skipped breakfast. Gathering in the center of the prison yard, they shouted loudly but were dispersed by tear gas deployed by custodial officials, who then herded them back to their rooms.

Raphael Ibinuhi, the head of the Jos Correctional Center, confirmed the protest, attributing it to the high cost of goods in the market. He explained that the contractor responsible for the food supply cited the rising prices of food items as the reason for reducing the portion sizes. Ibinuhi expressed the belief that the protest was unnecessary, as the issues of food challenges and the cost of items are national concerns being addressed by the federal government. He hoped that the steps taken by the government to address these issues would positively impact all areas, including Correctional centers.