*Dismisses Report Of Poor Feeding In Custodial Centres
THE Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealled that not less than 3,590 inmates across the custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row.
NCoS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Umar, an Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC), who disclosed this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, September 4, in Abuja, put the total number of inmates in centres across the country at 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females “as at September 3, 2024,” while the total number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) was 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
“The breakdown, according to their classes, is: Convicted inmates are 21,900, comprising 21,519 males and 381 females, while lifers are 1,501 comprising of 1,478 males and 23 females.
“The total number of Inmates on Death Row (IDR) was made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590,” he said.
Umar stated that majority of inmates in custody were Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), posing a significant challenge for the Service, due to their high numbers.
He, however, assured that the Service was taking steps to address the issue by ensuring timely judicial processing for the ATPs, adding: “Thanks to the initiative and backing of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we successfully reduced the inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were given the option to pay fines and/or compensation.
“The Service is also tackling custodial congestion through the construction of new facilities, expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics and implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates.”
He said the Service’s efforts to build partnerships with other agencies have paid off, leading to enhanced security and positive results in and around custodial facilities, noting: “The Service has taken steps to reinforce the security of custodial facilities against external threats, and we have maintained a stable and secure environment within our facilities, with no incidents of internal insurrection.”
Umar also noted that the Service saw significant enhancements in the treatment and care of inmates, particularly in the areas of personal reformation, rehabilitation programmes and successful reintegration into society, adding that the partnership between the NCoS and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) was yielding practical results, with a significant number of inmates enrolled in various academic programmes, including advanced degrees, while serving their sentences.
He said a total of 1,282 inmates were enrolled in the NOUN special study centre as at August 31, noting that a breakdown, according to their various programmes, include total of 1,215 inmates studying for Bachelor of Sciences (B.Sc) as at August 31, while is those studying for Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Masters degree as at August 31 was 62.
“Also, a total number of NOUN inmates students studying for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are five, and three are currently writing their thesis,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, Umar has dismissed a report alleging poor feeding in custodial centres as untrue, explaining that Tunji-Ojo had ordered an investigation into the feeding conditions of inmates at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar, Cross River State, following a viral video alleging that inmates at the centre were being subjected to inhumane treatment, including being served poorly cooked beans as breakfast.
Umar, while reiterating the commitment of the NCoS to reform, rehabilitate and care for inmates in custody, emphasised that it was focused on correcting those in conflict with the law through behaviour modification and skill acquisition programme.
He stated: “The name change connote a philosophy of correction to train the mind of those in our custody on behaviour modification. The new global standard goes beyond just addressing the viral video allegedly showcasing subpar food in our custodial centers, it also emphasises the importance of upholding the dignity of inmates in our care by ensuring they receive adequate medical attention and holistic care.
“The allegation is been looked into, as directed by the minister, and until then, we cannot confirm or deny that the trending video is from one of our custodial centres.
“I see that as a kind of misgiving, as the current administration is doing so much in ensuring that internal security of all citizens going about their normal businesses are assured. Furthermore, the responsibility of the NCoS is to see that our mandate is achieved through reformation and rehabilitation.
“The allegation is a serious one that the Federal Government has frowned at, but until the committee set up to actually investigate such allegations submit its report, the Service cannot speak much on it now.”
The Service said that it inherited a colonial-era system, which it was actively working to modernise and transform to align with contemporary standards of penal administration and meet the evolving needs of the society.
“We make bold to say that for several years now, we have never had internal insurrection between our system, that is to say whoever must have made that statement is not correct, because first, for you to be able to reform someone, you must gain his or her trust and have a serene environment to care for such person. You must be able to feed the person not to the way he or she actually wants, but to a reasonable level of care to be given to such person.
“We have been able to do that and I want to say that people should commend the NCoS for the frugal use of financial resources at their disposal, even as the feeding allowance for inmates undergoes constant review and revision.
“As part of our commitment to the welfare of all individuals, including those in conflict with the law, the current government has taken the first step in increasing the feeding allowance for inmates.
“This initial increase will be followed by a thorough assessment of the inmates’ dietary requirements, with further adjustments to the feeding allowance made as necessary to guarantee their health and well-being.
“It is not a hidden fact that the amount used to feed our inmates is inadequate, but recently, the government actually review the amount by 50 per cent.
“This means we are not only going to have improved feeding system in our custodial centres, but we are also going to augment it with our products from our farm centres across the federation.”
He emphasised that NCoS had significantly broadened its reformation and rehabilitation initiatives within the custodial centers by providing inmates with valuable skills acquisition programmes, including agricultural training, to empower them for successful reintegration into society.
“We also offer farming initiatives, recognising that acquiring agricultural skills will greatly benefit inmates upon their release, enhancing their reintegration into society and empowering them to become self-sufficient individuals,” the spokesperson said.
Umar said the minister took notice of the feeding issue and had been instrumental in driving reforms, noting: “That is why upon his assumption in office, he pushed for the upgrade, renovation and even construction of new custodial centres.
“It is not a hidden fact today that, if you go to Kuje Custodial Centre, it is a phototype of what will be a replica in other state custodial centres in the federation.
“This is to show that the government means business on the issue of internal security, vis-a-vis the issue of reforming those who are in our custody.”
