STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria’s justice sector have thrown their weight behind a digital data system designed to curb cases of inmate neglect, saying improved record-keeping and real-time information management could help prevent wrongful detention and prolonged incarceration.

The position was made known at a capacity-building training for correctional officers on the use of the Corrections Information Management System (CIMS), organised in Abuja by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC).

The training focused on equipping officers with the skills to deploy technology aimed at improving efficiency and accountability within custodial centres.

Speaking at the event, the State Programme Manager of PPDC in Kaduna State, Manasseh Akpa, explained that the system was introduced under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 to digitise inmate records and daily operations, replacing the long-standing manual process.

He said the platform captures biometric data and stores comprehensive details of inmates, including identity, case history and court appearances, in a centralised database accessible across facilities.

“The essence of this training is to equip officers with the knowledge to manage a system that ensures inmates are properly documented and tracked. It makes it easier to store and retrieve information and ultimately helps prevent people from being lost in the system,” Akpa said.

He noted that modern equipment, including surveillance cameras, biometric machines and backup power systems, had already been deployed in selected custodial centres across the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Plateau and Nasarawa states, adding that the training was designed as a “train-the-trainers” model to ensure wider adoption.

Also speaking, Programme Manager for Access to Justice under the Reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria project, Vivian Akagha, said the initiative was targeted at addressing long-standing gaps in inmate tracking and case management.

According to her, the system would ensure that inmates’ records; from admission to court appearances and sentence duration are digitally stored and easily accessible, reducing the risk of detainees being forgotten in custody.

“With this system, we are certain inmates will no longer be lost in the system. You can track how long someone has stayed, their court dates and other vital details. It ensures people are not held beyond their lawful terms,” she said.

Akagha added that the project, supported by international partners, had been deployed in multiple states, with ongoing efforts to build capacity among correctional personnel to sustain and expand its use.

From the operational perspective, Head of ICT and Innovation at the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters, Joy Edwards, said the introduction of CIMS had already simplified administrative processes and improved efficiency.

She explained that tasks that previously required manual searches and physical movement between offices could now be completed within minutes using digital tools.

“With the introduction of CIMS, we now access information with ease. What used to take hours or even days can now be done in minutes,” she said.

Edwards also highlighted the cost-saving benefits of the system, noting that expenses associated with paperwork, photocopying and manual file handling had significantly reduced.

She further noted that better scheduling and coordination, especially regarding inmates’ court appearances, had improved with the system, helping to reduce missed court dates and administrative bottlenecks.

Thia is coming at a point when concerns over inmate neglect and inefficiencies in Nigeria’s correctional system have remained longstanding, with overcrowding and poor record management often cited as major factors.

Reports show that a large proportion of inmates across the country are still awaiting trial, contributing to congestion and increasing the likelihood of individuals being held longer than necessary due to administrative lapses.