The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, said that the recurring incidences of jailbreaks and riots in custodial centres would soon be a thing of the past as it has developed the Correction Information Management System, CIMS, to capture inmates biometric data.
The Service’s Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, stated this during a media parley and facility tour to Dukpa farm centre, Gwagwalada, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the technology would go a long way in assisting the service with proper record keeping of inmates and also aid management of their cases for speedy
He added that the CIMS project had taken off in 80 locations across the country.
Mr Enobore, who doubles as Controller of Corrections, said that an inventory of utility services in NCoS facilities nationwide was currently ongoing in order to devise possible ways of coping with the phenomenal overcrowding in the system.
He said that the generous attention of the present administration to the NCoS, coupled with the doggedness of the Controller General of Correctional Service, provided a recipe for fundamental changes in offenders’ management.
He lauded the reformation and rehabilitation programmes in custodial centres across the country, part of which was the multi-million naira bakery and confectionery unit established in three locations in 2019.
“We have equally attempted to address the age-long infrastructural deficit through construction and rehabilitation of inmates’ cells including the provision of beds and beddings to enhance humane custody.
“Of significant mention is the 3,000 capacity ultra-modern custodial centres approved for all the geo-political zones, with that of the North West in Kano at the verge of completion, while those of North-Central in Abuja, and Bori in Rivers State had just commenced.
“A total of 32 satellite custodial centres shut down by the Boko Haram insurgency have also been re-opened,” he said.
Mr Enobore, however, said that in order to improve access to justice for pre-trial detainees, a total of 382 operational vehicles had been procured and distributed between 2016 and 2018, for transportation of inmates to court for hearing as and when due.
He said that NCoS had not left out the issue of welfare for its staff, adding that since the appointment of Ja’afaru Ahmed as Controller General (CG), over 25,000 officers and men of the service had been promoted, some of who were stagnated for up to 15 years.
“May I use this opportunity to formally inform you that funds have been released by the Federal Government (FG) to pay the promotion arrears of personnel.
“For those who were promoted in 2013 and 2014, payment has been effected to all beneficiaries, including retired staff members,” he said.
NAN
