Festus Ogun, a Lagos-based lawyer, has revealed that prisons in the state are in a dire situation.
According to the human rights lawyer, prisons in the nation’s commercial capital are declining to admit new inmates due to extreme congestion.
He noted that the situation underscores a deepening crisis within the criminal justice sector in the southwest state.
His words: ”The refusal of prisons to accept new detainees points to an alarming level of overcrowding that has reached a critical threshold.
”This overcrowding not only poses a significant challenge for the prison infrastructure but also raises serious concerns about the well-being and rehabilitation prospects of individuals within the system.
”The issue of prison congestion is a multifaceted problem, impacting the living conditions and resources available for inmates. The inability to accommodate new prisoners exposes a systemic failure, shedding light on the inadequacies and limitations of the current justice system in Lagos.
”Addressing this concerning situation necessitates immediate attention and comprehensive reforms.
”Strategies such as justice system restructuring, alternative sentencing methods, improved case management, and the development of community-based rehabilitation programs could play a pivotal role in tackling the issue.”
He added that the crisis underscores the pressing need for a holistic reevaluation of the criminal justice system in Lagos, adding that urgent interventions and reforms are imperative to ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably while upholding fundamental human rights and the principles of rehabilitation.
