After a thorough evaluation of the seven correctional centres standards across Lagos, the government has expressed concerns on the overcrowding within the facilities, saying these centres have been overstretched by 103 per cent.
It said that the seven facilities which were designed to cumulatively accommodate 4757 inmates currently house 9691 people serving different correctional terms in the state.
The government stressed that one of the facilities, Ikoyi Correctional Centre, currently has inmates that were 300 per cent above the stipulated population after construction.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, disclosed this yesterday while reeling out Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s achievements through the ministry within the last one year.
According to Pedro, the Badagry Custodial Centre has a capacity for 320 inmates, but 508 inmates are currently staying in the centre. He added that the Ikoyi Custodial Centre has a capacity for 800 inmates, but about 3311 inmates are housed there, while the Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre has a capacity for 271 inmates, but 310 inmates are living there.
He further said that the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre has a capacity for 1940 inmates, but 2949 inmates are staying there, while the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre has a capacity for 1056 inmates, but 2017 inmates are housed there.
Pedro also said that the Oregun Correction Centre has a capacity for 120 inmates, but 88 inmates are staying there, while the Borstal Training Institute has a capacity for 250 inmates, but 507 inmates are housed there.
The commissioner said about 21048 persons were arrested for stealing, while 2127 were arrested for murder and homicide.
He added that 7044 persons were arrested for breach of peace, 406 for kidnapping-related offenses, 2231 for defilement/rape/sex-related crimes, 2739 for assault, 4518 for armed robbery, 1776 for robbery-related offenses, 1191 for drug-related crimes, 2615 for unlawful society/cultism, and 1714 for felony.
The Attorney-General further stated that the Lekki area of the state tops the locations where offenses were committed, accounting for 13 per cent of the offenses, followed by Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo, Apapa, and Ojo with 10 per cent of the offenses each.
