The Federal Government has disclosed plans to release 4, 068 inmates nationwide as part of measures to decongest the nation’s correctional centres.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while speaking at the flag-off said that the programme is targeted at indigent inmates who cannot afford to pay their fines.

And according to him, the Federal Government has raised N585 million from corporate bodies and philanthropists to be used for the payment of fines to secure the release of the inmates across the federation.

“Today, we flag off the release of about 4, 068 inmates. This is in a bid to decongest custodial centres as well as make them ready for proper reformation and rehabilitation to take place”.

The minister said the initiative was targeted at inmates with fines and compensation that do not exceed N1 million.