The Kaduna Prison Command, Controller, Mr. Yazid Alhassan, says the command has started building three facilities to decongest prisons in the state.

He disclosed that one of the facilities, a story building had reached 95 per cent completion.

Alhassan said: “There is one in Makarfi, which is 70 per cent completed while there is another in Kubacha in Kagarko Local Government area.

“Besides, there are on-going renovations in almost all the prisons across the state.”

Alhassan noted that the new facilities, when completed, would accommodate additional 200 inmates.

He revealed to NAN, that 75 inmates were released in the first quarter of 2017, including 21 inmates who could not pay fine or perfect their bail conditions and called on judges to sentence convicts to community service in relevant instances rather than outright jail terms to decongest the prisons.

“So if that system is adopted, you will find less number of people going to prison.

“The method helps because nobody wants to go to a community to sweep market or environment while member of his family watch him; that will deter the person,” Alhassan said.

He also disclosed command’s plan to assist in training over 100 inmates on carpentry, barbering, tailoring, hairdressing and computer appreciation this year with support from the Kaduna State Government and the National Open University.