By Joseph Ayomide Babalola and Matthew Oluyori

A Public affairs analyst Comrade Joel Afolayan has raised concerns over Nigeria’s overcrowded prisons, saying that awaiting-trial inmates now make up the largest category of prisoners.

Speaking during a recent Diamond FM programme, Afolayan explained that this surge is putting immense pressure on correctional facilities and hindering proper rehabilitation.

While speaking, he identified four categories of prisoners: prisoners of hope, who have not yet entered correctional centres; prisoners of law, who have been convicted; prisoners of overstressed institutions, mainly awaiting-trial inmates; and prisoners of interest, held for special legal or security reasons.

Afolayan warned that overcrowding exposes inmates to poor living conditions and frustration, often keeping awaiting-trial inmates in custody longer than legally required.

To address these challenges, Afolayan suggested increasing judicial manpower to fast-track cases, especially minor offenses, and improving funding and infrastructure for correctional facilities.