The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been tasked by the Independent Investigative Panel on the alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, Cruel, Inhumane Treatment against the NCoS to provide detailed information on its rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for inmates, citing a lack of compliance with provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
The panel, which is investigating alleged corruption, abuse of power, and other violations within the service, expressed concerns that key sections of the Act with regard to inmates’ rehabilitation and reintegration are not being adequately implemented.
Secretary of the panel, Dr. Uju Agomoh, specifically flagged Section 10 of the NCoS Act, which focuses on identifying the causes of anti-social behaviour, assessing inmates’ needs, and engaging in behavioural modification activities.
Agomoh, in a summary report of the day’s sitting, said: “The panel did task the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide a relation to the total number of correctional centres, state by state, and the status of each of their workshops and other activities that are being put in place towards the actualisation of Section 10, sub D to H of the NCoS Act, 2019.
“The panel did mention that, given its experience in the field, there’s so much that indicates that these sections are not implemented.” Speaking on the theme: ‘Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Inmates: Analysing Effectiveness of Vocational Training, Education Programmes and Post-Release Reintegration Mechanisms to Prevent Recidivism, she noted that it is essential to ensure that the necessary skills for inmates to return into society after detention are given priority to avoid re-offending.
The panel stressed the importance of the key provisions, noting that it wants to know how many inmates have benefited from profit-sharing and, if the provision has not been activated.
Furthermore, the team highlighted the need for the Service to comply with Section 14, Subsection 4B, which requires a revolving fund for the sustainability of enterprises.
Agomoh said the panel believes that once this is done, it would “prevent the instances where inmates’ skills acquisition workshops are not functioning for any reason, because that percentage, which is what is supposed to be kept in, is actually being kept in.”
The panel commended the Minister of Interior for establishing the body, and praised the NCoS Comptroller General, Sylvester Nwakuche, for their collaboration and openness in the investigation.
Earlier, Deputy Controller General (DCG) Idris, who represented the Controller General, said the Service is in partnership with a number of non-governmental organisations and civil bodies in providing vocational training, especially in agriculture and education services.
He pointed to the partnership between the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Hope Behind Bars Africa and the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) as worthy examples of Public-Private Partnership in reforms aimed at preparing inmates for life after detention.
