The Nigerian Correctional Service has revealed that there were a total of 77,849 inmates comprising 76,081 males and 1,768 females.
The breakdown according to their classes is as follows:
Convicted inmates 18,935 357
Awaiting Trial Persons 52,512 1,324
Lifers 1,293 15
IDR 3,341 72
TOTAL 76,081 1,768
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr. Abubakar Umar said that it could be observed that the number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) in custody constitutes 69 percent of the total inmate population.
He remarked that the high number of ATP is a phenomenon that is challenging for the Service.
However, he noted that the Service is working towards alleviating the conundrum and providing judicial guarantees for them.
“Having mentioned that, I am pleased to inform you that 2023 was eventful and came with a brighter perspective for the Service, this year, we were able to enhance the fortification of our custodial facilities from external attacks and aggression,” he informed.
He noted that the Service has not recorded any form of internal insurrection from within their facilities which largely attributed to adequate provision of the basic needs and necessities of inmates, as well as the proactive efforts of the Service through the deployment of technology in surveillance and logistical provisions for rapid response in and around custodial facilities.
“We have explored interagency synergy in building security in and around Custodial Centres in Nigeria, this year also, we can improve on the treatment regime for inmates in the areas of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration,” he said.
Umar mention that a total of 1,840 inmates sat for the 2023 NECO/SSCE, while many others are undergoing various academic programmes in Custodial Centres nationwide. ‘
“As you are aware, our partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is yielding pragmatic results as many inmates are undergoing various degree programmes, including doctorate degrees in custody,
In terms of staff welfare, we are committed to improving the well-being of personnel as they are invaluable in achieving Service mandates in addition to providing more barracks and office accommodation”, he explained.
The Service image maker noted that the service has succeeded in the massive promotion of staff this year nothing that in 2023 alone, they were able to promote more than 20,000 officers and men who have recently decorated a total of 5,014 personnel who were recently promoted.
In the area of cushioning the hardship faced by staff arising from the fuel subsidy removal, he declared that the service has rolled out several palliative measures among which is the provision of mass transit buses to convey staff residing in faraway areas to and from work at no cost.
‘‘ Also, With the initiative and support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we could trim down the numbers in our custody following the release of 4,086 inmates who had options of fine and compensation. This is in addition to other measures such as the construction of new custodial facilities in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, strengthening the non-custodial alternative, provision of adequate logistics for court duties, and other initiatives towards decongesting custodial facilities,’‘ he stated.
Dominica Nwabufo
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