The Nigerian Correctional Service says it has made significant strides in inmate rehabilitation, with programmes designed to provide educational and vocational training, positioning inmates for successful reintegration into society.

These programmes, he said, include vocational training and educational initiatives to equip inmates with the tools they need to return to society as productive citizens.

”The government’s commitment to inmate rehabilitation is not just about reforming behaviour. It is about empowering inmates with the skills and qualifications needed to contribute positively to society once they completed their sentences,” he said.

Its spokesman, Abubakar Umar, said this in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said one of the most impactful reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and interior minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was the prioritisation of inmates’ rehabilitation.

“Rehabilitation is at the core of what we do. It’s not enough to just secure the inmates; we also need to prepare them for a life outside the prison walls. The correctional service is not just a holding centre—it is a reformation ground.

“We have inmates who entered our facilities with no formal education and are now PhD candidates. That is the success story we want Nigerians to hear,” said Mr Umar.

Mr Umar cited the story of one particular inmate who entered a custodial centre without a WAEC certificate, earned a bachelor’s degree, completed a master’s programme, and is currently pursuing a PhD.

“The inmate has authored five books, including ‘The Catalyst of Self Development’, ‘The Eagle and the Storm’, ‘Crime Scenes’, among others. This is the real success of our rehabilitation programmes.

“As I am talking to you right now, five inmates recently graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria, earning degrees in disciplines such as Political Science, Criminology, Peace Studies among others. These are real, measurable impacts and not speculation,” the NCoS official added.

The NCoS, Mr Umar said, had also invested heavily in vocational training programmes, giving inmates the chance to acquire skills that would help them support themselves upon release.

He added that the government’s approach to inmate rehabilitation was holistic, ensuring that once inmates were ready for reintegration, they were not left to face the world alone.

”Inmates are trained in a wide range of trades, including welding, carpentry, hairdressing, and barbering, among others. We ensure that inmates are not just educated but also equipped with marketable skills.
“Upon completion of their sentence, they are given starter packs with the tools they need to set up their own businesses,” Mr Umar explained.

Mr Umar said many of the inmates who have undergone rehabilitation were now leading successful lives outside the prison. He shared examples of former inmates who have turned their lives around, contributing to their communities and proving the effectiveness of the NCoS’s programmes.

“We have numerous success stories. Inmates who were once incarcerated are now employers of labour, skilled professionals, and active contributors to their communities,” he stated.

In April 2025, the NCoS reported a total of 79,611 inmates, including both convicted individuals and those awaiting trial. This figure includes 53,225 pretrial inmates (66 per cent of the total) and 26,841 convicted inmates (34 per cent of the total).

The official capacity of the Nigerian prison system is 50,153. 

(NAN)