The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Nasarawa says 49 prison inmates are studying for doctoral, postgraduate, and graduate degrees.

Aliyu Yahuza, the NCoS comptroller, announced this on Friday in Lafia.

“On the education of the inmates, the controllers said the command had 91 students with 43 studying various courses in the National Open University,” said Mr Yahuza. “The command has 91 inmates in school, 43 are undergraduates in the National Open University, four postgraduate and two PhD students.”

Forty-four others are preparing to sit the Senior Secondary School Examination and NABTEB. Mr Yahuza added that the command and state government were working toward decongesting correctional facilities through non-custodial such as community service, parole, and dispute resolution instead of sentencing offenders to imprisonment for minor offences.

The comptroller stated that when revived, the centres would also benefit the public. According to him, Governor Abdullahi Sule has promised to equip the centres in Lafia and Keffi.

“When I was deployed to the command, I went round all the custodial centres to be able to know what is on the ground. I find out that the workshops and soap-making industry are not functioning,” said Mr Yahuza. “I met with the governor when he was at the custodial centre for the release of inmates who were graciously pardoned by the state. I brought the issues before him, and he personally promised to equip the workshops.’’

The prison boss said a committee for the non-custodial would comprise the staff of NCoS, police, judiciary, social welfare officers, local government, health department, members of the community, and media.

(NAN)