Jos prison inmates protest over food ration cuts amid economic hardship

Inmates at the Jos Correctional Center, Plateau State, on Friday staged a protest over the economic hardship ravaging the nation.

It was gathered that the protest began immediately the inmates were informed of the downward review of sizes of food in the correctional center.

The inmates were said to have refused to take orders from the custodial officials and also shunned breakfast during the protest.

According to reports, the inmates converged at the center of the prison yard while shouting on top of their voices.

They were, however, dispersed by the custodial officials, who used tear gas to force them back to their rooms.

The Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, confirmed the development, blaming the protest on high cost of living.

He said, “The problem has to do with the high cost of goods in the market. The contractor in charge of the foods said they are being forced by the price of food items to reduce the size of the plate of foods.

“So, it is the food size that provoked the protest. I don’t think the protest is necessary because the food challenge and the cost of items is a national issues that the federal government is already addressing.

“And I want to believe that since it is a national issue, whatever step taken by the federal government to address it will be felt everywhere in the country including the Correctional centers.”