The controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, FCT command, Christopher Jen, has called for increased adoption of non-custodial sentences as part of efforts to decongest custodial centres in the territory.

Mr Jen made the call during a courtesy visit to the chief judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Yusuf, in Abuja.

In a statement by the command’s spokesman, Samson Duza, on Friday in Abuja, the controller commended the chief judge for his continual support for the inmates.

Mr Jen also expressed appreciation to Mr Yusuf for his impactful visits to custodial centres for jail delivery, describing him as a “beacon of hope” to inmates. Pleading with the CJ and other judges and magistrates, the controller stressed the need to increasingly explore non-custodial measures.

This, he said, was to ease congestion in custodial centres while enhancing justice administration and the welfare of offenders.

He also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the NCoS and the judiciary, urging stronger synergy for effective management of the criminal justice system.

Mr Yusuf welcomed the controller and acknowledged the critical roles of both the judiciary and the correctional service as key stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

He, however, pledged to continue working collaboratively to ensure effective delivery of their mandates.

The CJ further promised to visit custodial centres in the FCT more regularly and assured Mr Jen that judges would increasingly adopt non-custodial sentencing options to decongest facilities and promote alternative justice measures.

The visit underscored the mutual interest of the NCoS and the judiciary in strengthening collaboration to enhance justice delivery and correctional outcomes in the FCT.

(NAN)