NIGERIA: PRISON CONDITIONS IN MAKURDI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001739

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRISON CONDITIONS IN MAKURDI


ABUJA 00001739 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Gribbin for reasons 1.4.(b&d).


1. SUMMARY. Overcrowding, poor conditions, lack of
transportation and inadequate materials for reform programs
are just a few of the issues the Benue State Prison System is
facing. During an August 7-8 trip to Benue State, POLOFF
visited Makurdi Prison and met with Controller of Prisons,
O.Y. Musa and Speaker of the State Assembly, Terseer Tsumba,
to discuss the problems and possible solutions. Tsumba's
promises of assistance in reconstructing a damaged prison and
the construction of a new health clinic on the grounds of
Makurdi Prison could be signs of a new commitment to prison
reform in the state. END SUMMARY.

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OVERCROWDING AND POOR CONDITIONS
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2. There are three prisons in Benue State: Gboko, Makurdi
and Otukpo. Gboko is the largest with a capacity of 809.
Unfortunately, Gboko is also the oldest and experienced major
structural damage when a perimeter wall collapsed forcing all
male inmates to be relocated to Makurdi (leaving
approximately 141 female prisoners at Gboko). Makurdi only
has capacity for 214 people and is currently housing over 450
inmates due to the incident at Gboko. Makurdi is composed of
three cell blocks, two of which are reserved for those still
awaiting trial, which is a majority of those incarcerated.
(COMMENT: With only 705 prisoners in the state, Gboko alone
(if renovated) could sufficiently house the current
population. END COMMENT.)


3. POLOFF was only allowed to visit Block B at Makurdi
Prison. The cell block is a single large room with one wall
comprised only of bars open to the elements and packed wall
to wall with half dressed men. There were no signs of any
bedding and the Prison Supervisor told POLOFF they were
lacking an adequate supply of mattresses. Due to the
spontaneous nature of the visit and the fact that members of
the local press were nearby, POLOFF was not given full access
to the facilities during this visit, but rather POLOFF
believes she was shown only the least negligent areas. This
included the kitchen area where a few inmates were keeping
busy supposedly "cooking," though no food was observed. Musa
would not grant access for POLOFF to speak directly with any
of the prisoners during this visit; but stated that he would
accommodate those arrangements during a future visit.

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SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT?
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4. The one potentially encouraging part of the prison is the
newly built health clinic. Not yet complete and still
lacking equipment, it is a free standing building designed to
be a modern hospital complete with an operating room and
laboratory. Unfortunately, Musa informed POLOFF that they
are awaiting resources to buy equipment, staff the clinic and
purchase necessary pharmaceuticals. Musa stated that there
was a doctor and nurse already on staff, but they were not
present and there was no sign of them in the rudimentary
Health Unit room currently being used as an infirmary.

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REBUILDING MAKURDI
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5. While discussing the overcrowding at Makurdi, Musa stated
that if the Gboko prison structural damage could be fixed,
the resultant influx of inmates could be returned and the
capacity issue resolved. Musa told POLOFF that work had
begun to repair the perimeter wall several months ago, but
the contractor refuses to continue due to lack of payment.
Speaker Tsumba, feeling obligated to act, promised to look
into the reason for delay of payment. Furthermore, Tsumba
promised to expedite the payment as long as there were no
outstanding issues with the contractor. Tsumba assured
PolOff the situation would be resolved by year's end and the
overcrowding eliminated.

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DELAY IN JUSTICE
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6. Also adding to the overcrowding problem in Benue is the
delay in getting detainees to trial. Over half the men
incarcerated at Makurdi have yet to be convicted of any
crimes. Lack of judges and court venues on the local level
is one reason for this according to Tsumba - something he has
promised to address during his tenure. Another reason for
the delays is lack of transportation. According to Musa,
they do not have enough vehicles to transport prisoners to
their trials even when they do get scheduled. (NOTE: The
prisoners who have been relocated from Gboko are required to
travel a long distance back to their Local Government Court
for trial.)

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LACK OF REFORM ASSISTANCE
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7. Controller Musa stated that the prisoner reform program
offered at Makurdi was yet another area that needed
improvement. Makurdi Prison currently offers prisoners the
opportunity to learn a trade such as carpentry, welding,
sewing or electronics repair while in prison so that they
have a career option after prison. The two drawbacks, both
of which require a remedy at the federal level, are that only
prisoners actually convicted of non-violent crimes are
eligible (not those awaiting trial) and the inadequate supply
of training materials, both of which limit the number of
prisoners able to participate. Currently, there are only
five sewing machines and enough equipment to train three
people in either welding or electronics repair. Musa also
suggested that being able to provide materials or equipment
to prisoners upon release would be a great asset in ensuring
their reform. Musa said that if the men have a viable option
to make a living after prison then they are less likely to
commit a crime again.

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REFORMS NECESSARY AT ALL LEVELS
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8. COMMENT: If Speaker Tsumba keeps his promise to assist
with the problems at Gboko, there is a good chance that the
overcrowding situation at Makurdi Prison could be resolved.
This does not address the living conditions however and
additional visits should be arranged to monitor the progress.
As Controller Musa stated, the delay in the judicial process
is a huge source of aggravation for the prison system. This
is an issue that Nigeria is facing at all levels of
government and one that needs to be addressed in order to
truly move forward on the rule of law and protection of human
rights. Although Speaker Tsumba seemed somewhat pressured
into saying something in response to problems at Gboko,
PolOff was impressed with his willingness to make promises of
assistance to prison reform rather than excuses. POLOFF will
monitor the situation to see if the Speaker keeps those
promises. END COMMENT.
GRIBBIN