Inmates learning skills at the correctional centre

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, on Sunday, said it has recorded significant achievements in empowerment of inmates, through expanded skill acquisition and educational training programmes.

NCos says this is aimed at rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism.

The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, said that the initiatives were designed to facilitate seamless reintegration of inmates into society, by equipping them with relevant vocational skills and formal education.

In a statement by the Command Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Samson Duza, in Abuja, Mr Jen explained that since assuming office, the command had prioritised the training of inmates.

He said this was through strategic partnerships with various organisations, adding that donations of training materials by non-governmental organisations had greatly strengthened the programmes across custodial centres in the FCT.

He noted, “I am immensely proud of the transformative progress we’ve made in empowering inmates through skills acquisition and education.

“These partnerships with NGOs have not only equipped over 800 inmates with practical skills, but is paving way for true rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.”

According to him, the command currently runs diverse skill acquisition programmes, cutting across vocational, creative and agricultural sectors.

He listed some areas to include:: barbing with 32 inmates in training, cap making with 35 inamtes, embroidery with five inmates,, shoe making with 42, tailoring with 48 inmates, carpentry with eight inmates, among others.

He said that these inmates and more, were respectively undergoing training in the afrementioned fields, and more.

The NCoS boss added that agricultural-based skills featured prominently, with 200 inmates trained in fisheries, 78 in poultry farming and 80 in paint production.

In the area of formal education, the controller said that inmates were actively pursuing recognised academic qualifications across custodial centres.

“At the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, 97 inmates are registered for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations. 65 are sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO).

“At the MSCC, Suleja, 30 inmates were enrolled for NABTEB, while another 30 were registered for NECO examinations,” he added.

He said that a total of 222 inmates were currently enrolled in secondary education programmes, while 201 inmates were pursuing degree programmes with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

“With 222 inmates enrolled in secondary education and 201 pursuing degrees at NOUN, we’re proving that second chances starts with education.

“Our gratitude goes to our NGO partners whose donations have made this vision a reality,” he said.

He reaffirmed the NCoS commitment to transformative justice, stressing that the programmes were geared toward equipping inmates with marketable skills and knowledge necessary for productive and law-abiding lives after release.

Mr Jen thanked partner organisations and NGOs, for their sustained support in advancing inmates’ rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives. (NAN