Owerri Prisons are congested with 2285 inmates, Editors Forum tell Governor Okorocha to de-congest

www.odogwublog.com reports that concerned about congestion at the Owerri Prisons, the Forum of Imo-Based Newspaper Editors (FINE) have called on Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to set up a Prerogative of Mercy committee to fashion out ways of decongesting the prison.
The group made the appeal in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Eze Adiukwu; and its Secretary, Chigozie Uzosike, following its visit to the Imo State Comptroller of Prisons, Chris Okoye as part of its social responsibility role as fourth estate of the realm.
FINE said it was pained that the facility meant for 548 inmates is currently holding 2285 inmates, where only 195 are convicted inmates.
The group called on Imo State Governor to use the May 29th and October 1st celebrations to decongest the Owerri prison through amnesty adding that speedy trial of the Awaiting Trial Inmates will also help.
FINE called on the State Government to provide the prison with sewage trucks, to enable it evacuate the smelly mess that overflows to the road, causing health hazards on the Owerri populace.
Further, FINE called on the State Government to include the prison command in the State Security Council Meeting, noting that it plays a major role in stemming crime by foiling it during the planning stage, saying many kidnaps are foiled at prison authorities.
The group said the Police, Military, DSS, Prisons, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should all work together to continue to address security issues, saying it is not a one man affair.