Prison Loses 3 Inmates to HIV/AIDS in Delta

09.16.2008

The Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) lost three inmates in Delta within the last three months, the Controller of Prison, Mr Charles Ahaotu, said yesterday in Asaba.
Ahaotu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the prisoners died of the dreaded HIV and AIDS.
He said that two of the deceased inmates were from the Kwale prison, while the third was from the Sapele prison.
The controller attributed the low mortality rate in the prisons in the state to improved feeding of the inmates and the hygienic condition of the facilities.
He appealed to the state government to provide inmates living with HIV with anti-retroviral drugs and also called on NGOs to set up medical clinics for the treatment of inmates at the Sapele, Agbor, Kwale and Ogwashi-Uku prisons.
Ahaotu further said that there were 2,459 inmates in the Sapele, Agbor and Kwale prisons awaiting trial, while another 801 had been convicted.
He said that the figures were for the months of May, June and July, adding that Warri prison had the highest number of 1,150 inmates awaiting trial and 401 others serving their convictions.
Figures for the fourth prison in Ogwashi-Uku were not available.
The controller also said that 25 of the inmates were suspected to have psychiatric problems and called on the state government to assist by sending a psychiatrist.