Osun Govt Commences Process of Decongesting Correctional Centers

Osun Govt Commences Process of Decongesting Correctional Centers

The Osun State government has begun a move to decongest correctional centres in the state as machinery will soon be put in place to address the over-utilisation of correctional facilities in various centres by inmates.

The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Barrister Wole Jimi-Bada disclosed during his visit to Ilesa Correctional Centre on Thursday 10th of August, 2023.

According to him, the visit is by Governor Ademola Adeleke's directive to ensure that all correctional centres in the state are decongested to end the burden of over-utilisation of prison facilities.

In his word "The Governor had entrusted the State's Ministry of Justice with the pivotal responsibility of overseeing the multifaceted process of mitigating congestion within the state's correctional facilities".

Bada noted that the gesture would be limited to inmates whose cases are minor, non-violent offences, adding that the assessment aims to ascertain the gravity of their offences and this is a crucial step to determine whether there is a need to continue their legal proceedings or to discontinue their case.

"In the process of decongesting the centres, care would be taken in order not to release inmates with capital offence to the society, assuring that inmates with civil cases would be considered", the commissioner said.

Bada, while interrogating some inmates whose cases are civil, said the investigation would still be carried out while a panel would be set up to determine the ones that would eventually get state pardons in order not to return bad inmates into society.

The commissioner commended the management of Ilesa correctional centre for the security and welfare of inmates in their facility, underscoring the need for a cordial relationship between his ministry and the management of the correctional centre. 

He said the collaboration would be pivotal in navigating the complex terrain of executing the decongestion strategies, saying the synergy will assist both the ministry and the correctional centre to achieve the set goal.

Responding, the Controller of Ilesa correctional centre, Mr Tope Ogunsakin thanked the commissioner for coming, he described the visit as timely and synergy between Osun State correctional centres and the Ministry of Justice.

He said about 85% of the inmates in Ilesa Centre are those whose cases are civil. 

He praised Governor Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke for his timely initiative for prison decongestion, assuring the governor of the correctional centre's support and readiness towards his vision of decongesting the correctional facilities.

The commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Kemi Adejare-Bello, Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Folashade John, among other officials of the ministry.

Similarly, the commissioner will today, continue his visitation to the correctional centre in Ile-Ife.