By Ayodele Oni
Inmates of the Correctional Center in Jos, Plateau State Capital, on Friday staged a protest over plans to reduce the size of their food.
It was learnt that immediately they got tipped off on downward review of food size, the inmates embarked on protest,
During the protest, the inmates refused to take orders from the custodial officials and also shunned breakfast.
They converged on the center of the prison yard while shouting on top of their voices but the custodial officials used tear gas to force them back to their rooms.
Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, confirmed the protest of the inmates.
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 issue 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.”
The rising cost of living in the country has triggered protests in different parts of the country.
