Prison
NCoS Develops Inmates’
Prison
NCoS Develops Inmates’ Biometric for Speedy
Trial
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said it has developed
the Correction Information Management System (CIMS) to capture
inmates biometric.
NCoS added that CIMS will go a long way to assist the Service
identify inmates and also aid the proper management of their case
for speedy trial.
At a media parley in Abuja, Francis Osagiede Enobore, the Public
Relations Officer of the Service, explained that the recurring
incidence of jail breaks, escapes and riots in custodial centres
are now a thing of the past.
He said the CIMS project has already taken off in 80 locations
across the country.
Enobore, who pointed out that NCoS has not left out the issue of
welfare for its staff, revealed that since the appointment of
Ja’afaru Ahmed as Controller General (CG), over 25,000 officers and
men of the Service have been promoted, some of which 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 promoted in 2013 and 2014 and
accordingly, payment has been effected to all beneficiaries
including retired staff members,” he said.
The spokesperson, added that a reassessment of utility services
in NCoS facilities nationwide is currently ongoing in order to
device possible ways of coping with the phenomenal overcrowding in
the system and avoid recurrence.
He noted that the generous attention of the present
administration to the NCoS, coupled with the doggedness of the CGC,
provided a recipe for fundamental changes in offenders’
management.
He said: “This is evidenced in the reinvigorated reformation and
rehabilitation programmes in custodial centres across the country,
part of which is 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, and that
of North Central in Abuja, and Bori in Rivers State just commenced.
A total of 32 satellite custodial centres shut down by the Boko
Haram insurgency have also been re-opened.”
Mr. Enobore, further disclosed that in order to improve access
to justice for pre-trial detainees, a total of 382 operational
vehicles have been procured and distributed between 2016 and 2018,
for inmates to be taken to court for hearing as and when due.
Shortly before the parley, reporters covering the Service
visited and toured facilities at the Dukpa Farm Centre, in
Gwagwalada, which is owned by NCoS.
They were taken round to assess facilities at both the poultry
and confectionery units of the farm.