The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, says custodial congestion, inadequate funding, obsolete workshop equipment, insufficient training infrastructure and shortages of qualified vocational instructors are challenges to effective rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
The NCoS Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, said this in response to a question by the News Agency of Nigeria on the effectiveness of correctional facilities.
Ms Osuji said the population figures supplied by the service showed 86,486 inmates against an installed capacity of 68,486, putting pressure on custodial infrastructure.
She said that former inmates also face unemployment, discrimination, family rejection and difficulties securing accommodation and start-up resources.
She said a stronger post-release support, employment opportunities and reliable monitoring of reoffending were therefore imperative to determining the effectiveness of correctional programmes.
According to her, rehabilitation remains central to the service’s mandate under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, alongside the safe custody of persons lawfully committed to its care.
She explained that the service’s rehabilitation framework covered education, vocational training and psycho-social interventions aimed at promoting behavioural change and responsible living.
She also explained that educational opportunities include basic literacy, secondary education through recognised examination bodies and tertiary education through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
She revealed that the NCoS currently operated 18 NOUN study centres in custodial facilities nationwide, with more than 1,125 inmates enrolled in various programmes.
“The figure consists of 261 undergraduates and 62 postgraduate students,” she said.
Ms Osuji added that vocational programmes covered tailoring, carpentry, welding, electrical installation, agriculture, information technology and other trades intended to improve inmates’ prospects of employment or self-employment.
She said that counselling, religious and moral instruction, sports and other supportive activities formed part of the service’s psycho-social interventions.
The NCoS national spokesperson, however, said the impact of rehabilitation should be assessed through participation and completion rates, educational achievements, vocational certifications and evidence of behavioural change.
She revealed that the service was reviewing the methodology and data supporting its field assessments to ensure that any specific percentage of behavioural improvement released publicly was properly substantiated.
On reintegration, Ms Osuji said preparation began from admission into custody, with inmates receiving education, vocational training, counselling and other interventions tailored to their needs.
She said the service had introduced starter packs containing trade-related tools and equipment to help trained inmates establish businesses or pursue self-employment after release.
“In 2025, approximately 42 inmates received such starter packs, although the number remained modest compared with the overall population of released persons,” she said.
She added that family engagement, mediation, psychological preparation and partnerships with government institutions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders supported reintegration efforts.
On re-offending, she cited figures attributed to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, indicating that recorded recidivists declined from 3,156 in 2024 to 1,392 in 2025.
“The figures were reported alongside inmate populations of 80,430 in 2024 and 83,233 in 2025, respectively,” she said.
She said the service was strengthening digital information management and post-release tracking to improve the availability and reliability of data on re-offending.
She however, cautioned that establishing a direct relationship between particular rehabilitation programmes and changes in recidivism required systematic evaluation.
She appealed to employers, families, community leaders and civil society organisations to provide reasonable opportunities for former inmates willing to lead lawful lives.
The NCoS image maker said the service was pursuing infrastructure expansion, modernised workshops, improved education, stronger non-custodial measures and private-sector partnerships to enhance rehabilitation and public safety.
She added that reintegration efforts must however respect victims’ rights, dignity and welfare, noting that rehabilitation and public safety were complementary objectives.
She further said that sustainable reintegration required collaboration among correctional authorities, government institutions, employers, families and communities.
NAN