The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed a report alleging poor feeding in custodial centres as untrue, stating that it does not reflect the service’s commitment to inmate welfare. This was confirmed by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) Abubakar Umar, on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered an investigation into the feeding conditions of inmates at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar, Cross River State. The directive followed a viral video alleging that inmates at the custodial centre were being subjected to inhumane treatment, including being served poorly cooked beans as breakfast.
Umar reiterated the NCoS’ commitment to reform, rehabilitate and care for inmates in custody. He emphasised that it was focused on correcting those in conflict with the law through behaviour modification and skill acquisition programmes.
“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 of Interior 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 and 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 , the service cannot speak much on it now,” the service said.
The service said that it inherited a colonial-era system, it was actively working to modernise and transform it to align with contemporary standards of penal administration and meet the evolving needs of the society. Umar said that 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 has actually review the amount for feeding inmates with 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 centre across the Federation,” Mr Umar said.
It emphasised that it had significantly broadened its reformation and rehabilitation initiatives within the custodial centres, providing inmates with valuable skills acquisition programs, including agricultural training, to empower them for successful reintegration into society.
(NAN)
