‎The Federal Government has announced plans to distribute 50,000 mattresses to custodial centres across Nigeria, in a move aimed at improving inmates’ welfare and reinforcing rehabilitation within the correctional system.
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‎Ondo State, housing over 700 inmates, received the first batch of 850 mattresses on Tuesday, as the pilot state for the national rollout. 
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‎Presenting the mattresses at the Olokuta Correctional Center, in Akure the state capital, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that the the donation was made to ensure that no inmate will have to sleep on the bare floor.
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‎Tunji-Ojo, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Correctional Reforms, Barrister Babatunde Ogundare, said the initiative aligned with his commitment to transforming custodial centres from mere condemnation centres into facilities that reform and rehabilitate inmates.
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‎He disclosed that each custodial centre across the country will receive mattresses based on its population and needs.
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‎According to him, inmates are part of society and must be treated with dignity adding that all inmates live decent lives, and no one should sleep on the bare floor. 
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‎Tunji-Ojo said "Since I assumed office as Minister of Interior, I have maintained that none of our custodial centres should be condemnation centres. They must be places where lives are reformed and transformed into better citizens. Inmates are part of our society, and we must see them as part of us.
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‎"I have made it clear that no inmate should sleep on the bare floor. Every inmate must live a decent life with dignity. That conviction informed my decision to propose and approve the production of these customised mattresses."
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‎Speaking on the quality of the mattresses, he revealed that they are waterproof, foldable, and customised to meet international standards, providing durability and comfort. 
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‎"If you examine the mattresses, you will notice that they are waterproof and specially designed to withstand constant use. Previously, government incurred unnecessary expenses because mattresses wore out within a few months.
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‎"These fibre mattresses are more durable and align with international best practices. Beyond durability, they also promote better health and wellbeing," he added.
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‎Addressing concerns that improved prison conditions could encourage crime, the minister dismissed the notion stressing that providing comfort for inmates will not increase crime rate. 
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‎He continued “Confinement itself is a punishment. However, it is our duty as government to ensure that inmates are treated with dignity and provided basic comfort. Improving welfare conditions in custodial centres will not increase crime. On the contrary, it will reduce recidivism by supporting proper reformation and rehabilitation."
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‎In his remark, the Controller of Corrections, Ondo State Command, Charles Oyewole, thanked the minister for his transformative reforms across correctional centers.
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‎Oyewole Urged the inmates to make good use of the mattresses received. 
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‎"I will like to congratulate our inmates, the recipents of these materials and to encourage them to make judicious use if these materials. They should know that their welfare is germane in the heart of this present administration," he said. 
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