BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA-THE Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev Alex Ibezim, yesterday, called for immediate decongestion of the country’s prisons, arguing that inmates of the various prisons risked outbreak of epidemics due to their deplorable conditions.

The cleric, who visited Awka Prisons as part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the diocese, said as church leaders, they were concerned with what the inmates were going through.

Ibezim was accompanied on the visit by the chancellor of the diocese, Justice Chidozie Olike, and deputy vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ven Israel Okoye.

His words: “I believe our governments at all levels should do something because this place does not look good and healthy. As church leaders, our function is to pray for the people, including the inmates, but our government should find a way of decongesting these prisons and making the environment look healthy.”

He explained that the Anglican Church in Awka would soon embark on projects in the Awka Prison such as retreat centers  and hospitals and charged the inmates to be prisoners of God, instead of prisoners of luxury.

He said further:  “The worst prison is prison of hell, but this place where you are is prison of hope. You should see this place as a reformation ground and not a place of hopelessness.

“Take a cue from the story of Joseph in the bible, who was a prisoner and later became the king of Egypt. You should not put your faith in the hands of lawyers or judges, but have thrust in God.”

The Deputy Controller in charge of Awka Prisons, Mr. Tony Chigbata, had told the cleric that Awka prison housed 461 inmates, and that of the number, only 20 were convicted, while the rest were awaiting trial.

He also said three of the inmates had registered at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, where they were pursuing degree courses, while others had either engaged in playing music or other things.