Panel lists gaps, urges overhaul of correctional service
By Ibironke Ariyo
The Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has identified critical gaps in the service’s rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
The panel, however, called for urgent reforms and stronger stakeholder support.
Dr Uju Agomoh, Secretary of the panel, said this while giving the summary of day three of the third public hearing in Abuja.
She said that the panel recognised contributions from NGOs, development partners, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and other agencies.
She, however, said that the panel stressed that institutional gaps in personnel, equipment, record-keeping, and market access were hindering impact.
Agomoh said that several presentations before the panel reinforced the need for expanded support that would allow partners to contribute more effectively and ensure sustainability.
She said that the panel observed that correctional workshops and farm centres were not keeping accurate records of production, income, and profits.
“The panel recommended training managers in line with Section 14(4) of the NCoS Act to standardise documentation,” she said.
On economic activities, she said the panel urged the government and private sector to invest in correctional enterprises, noting that without adequate production and sales, profitability and benefit-sharing would remain minimal.
The panel secretary stressed the importance of engaging families of inmates, including children, as part of rehabilitation and reintegration.
“To this end, the panel requested NCoS to submit a full list of all correctional centres, indicating visitation facilities, challenges, and plans for structured family engagement,” she said.
Agomoh added that a mechanism to track the performance of staff, centres, and inmates was needed so that excellence could be recognised and underperformance addressed.
According to her, rehabilitation is essential because every inmate who does not die in custody will eventually return to society.
She urged the use of the non-custodial directorate to prevent offending and reoffending.
She also commended the NCoS Public Relations Unit for its creative initiatives, such as music therapy, but said more visibility should be given to specific areas where help was needed.
The panel, she said, again called on the media to prioritise accuracy and clarity in reporting and to increase coverage frequency to draw attention to correctional challenges.
She appealed to the media to sustain coverage even after the panel submitted its report, to aid implementation of recommendations.
Agomoh lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for initiating the panel, describing it as a model for other ministries to adopt by opening operations to diverse inputs for service improvement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
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