The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed a troubling mental health crisis within its custodial centres, disclosing that 8,246 inmates are currently suffering from mental illness.
This figure was made public during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS, held in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr. Glory Essien, highlighted the harsh reality of incarceration and its impact on mental health during her address to the panel.
“We have 8,246 inmates with mental health conditions in our custodial centres.
“From the moment someone is brought in—those who have seen a custodial centre know what I mean—the police escort them to the gate, it’s opened, they’re admitted, and then that gate locks behind them.
“That instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to show signs of disturbed behaviour almost immediately, as if something in their mind has shifted,” she said.
Essien further explained that the prison system relies on an internal network of trained inmate-leaders who assist staff in identifying those showing signs of psychological distress.
“These leaders are trained to alert the staff when they notice concerning behaviour. They might say, ‘This inmate seems dazed, hasn’t eaten, hasn’t spoken to anyone.’ That helps us intervene early,” she said.
Despite these efforts, the scale of mental health issues far exceeds the available resources.
“If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, and you’re the only attending doctor, nurse, or psychologist, it’s simply not possible to monitor everyone individually.
“That’s why we rely on these trained inmates to help us identify those in need, so we can provide care as best we can,” the ACG noted.
She also underscored the logistical challenges of delivering mental healthcare in correctional facilities.
“Mental illness is chronic—it’s not like malaria where you give a dose and it clears up,” she said, pointing to transportation issues, limited drug supplies, and staff shortages as ongoing obstacles.
“We’re not operating in a five-star environment. But with the little we have, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of our work,” she said.
Adding to the discussion, the Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of pharmaceutical services, Mohammed Bashir, addressed concerns around drug provision and mental health treatment.
“The Federal Government has actually been doing its enormous best to see that it caters for the health needs of the inmates. Money has been appropriated, but is the money enough? No.
“Out of 81,122 inmates in 256 correctional facilities nationwide, about 2.3 percent are female,” he said.
Bashir revealed that a single item such as sanitary pads for menstruating inmates costs over “N4m monthly.”
On mental healthcare, Bashir confirmed that a psychological services unit has been created within the service to focus on treatment.
“We have partnership with this psychiatric and psychological association. We have the consultants that usually go to about 12 designated custodial centres that have a large number of these cases,” he said.
Yet, he admitted that drug supplies often run out within weeks due to inadequate funding and staffing.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, called for urgent support and systemic changes.
Ajani made a passionate appeal to the Nigerian Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies for support.
“Please come to Macedonia and help us,” she said, referencing the dire need for psychiatric and psychological aid in remote states beyond Abuja and Lagos.
Ajani, who chairs the panel expressed concern over the maldistribution of mental health professionals.
“Let them not only be centred in Abuja and Lagos; we need them to go out to the fields. Because if we even put two in the states, it will help them,” she said.
The permanent secretary also emphasised the need for transparency and collaboration with private companies.
“PPP arrangements will help us in terms of public-private partnership. We can approach companies that can give us drugs as CSR, they do it,” she noted.
She concluded with a call for leadership and mentorship. “So don’t let us sit in the office and forget our primary responsibility. Do it now. Build a bridge and empower younger people to be able to sustain that bridge that you are building.”
The PUNCH