States to establish penitentiary

• As Senate move to break FG’s monopoly on Prisons management
• Tinubu seeks establishment of Mother-baby care unit in Prisons

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Wednesday said that the Senate Constitution review committee planned to remove Prisons from the Exclusive List and put it in the Concurrent List.

He said that the removal of Prisons from the Exclusive List was meant to break the monopoly of the Federal Government over the management of prisons in the country.

Ekweremadu spoke during the second reading of three bills which sought an Act to repeal and re-enact the Prison Act CAP p29 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016.

The three Bill were sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinnbu (Lagos Central), Senator Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) and Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East).

The Senate plan to consolidate the bills to form one bill due to their similarity.

Ekweremadu who presided, noted that apart from removing Prisons from the Exclusive List, there might be need to involve other stakeholders in the management of prisons in the country.

Tinubu in her lead debate said that it is disheartening to sight infants living with their mothers in the prisons where movement is restricted, freedom restrained and liberty impeded.

She noted that it is a common knowledge that the phenomenon has the potential of impeding all round growth of the infant and may cause retardation.

She explained that the desire to correct the anomaly formed the basis for the suggested amendment.

Tinubu added, “The incidences of women going to serve jail term while they are pregnant or nursing infants is known to many nations of the world, but while some nations have found solutions to the problem by way of legislation, Nigeria has left these matters to chance and the magnanimity of individuals and charities.

“My colleagues in the seventh Assembly would recall that the plight of infants in prisons gave cause for concern which prompted the members of the Women Affairs Committee of the Senate to embark on an oversight visit to Suleja Prisons in 2013 where members expressed their concern and pledged assistance.

“This Bill attempts to provide solution by ensuring that Prison Authorities provide special accommodation to meet prenatal and postnatal needs of pregnant inmates, designate structures as nursery to be staffed by qualified persons where the infants shall be placed when they are not in the care of their mothers, and also fight against stigmatisation of babies born in prison by providing that the circumstances of their birth shall not be included in their birth certificate.

“Statistics given by Prison authorities as at March 2013 showed that there were 69 infants living with their mothers in Nigerian Prisons across the Federation. Though the number may fluctuate, the fact remains there is need to make special provision for these categories of prisoners.

“While some of the solutions proffered such as providing separate accommodation for pregnant women, nursing mothers, breastfeeding sections and nursery/creche facilities in prisons may have cost implications, it is all achievable. l am calling for a replicate of the provisions made by the maximum prisons at Kirikiri Lagos to enable us meet with the minimum world best practices as stipulated in many international conventions and treaties.

“The 88 mixed gender prisons in the country have facilities that can be converted to accommodate the provisions of this Bill. The financial implications of the proposed conversion are attached.

“Keeping such a designated hall, room or cell clean and hygienic does not cost a fortune, while purchase of infant beddings, mosquitoes nets are equally within reach with many donor agencies. NGOs and public spirited Nigerians donating to such institutions periodically.

“Another innovation which this bill proposes is the enlargement/expansion of the definition of ‘infant‘ as contained in the Act to cover children between ages 0 to 3 years and thus allow them stay with their mothers beyond 18 months which the extant Act currently allows. This is because Psychiatric research has shown that the first 3 years of a child’s life is important for mother-child bonding. The mother is the primary giver of love and care in a young child’s life and this can mitigate the effect of any emotional damage in life, promote sense of security and healthy self-esteem.

“l urge you, my Distinguished Colleagues, to see this Bill in light of catering for young Nigerians who are unable to dictate the circumstances of their birth and who, it well taken care of today may be great leaders of their own generation. By supporting this bill you will be lending your voice to the entrenchment of the rights of the Nigerian child.”