7th March , 2025
The Executive Director of Prisons Fellowship Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Jacob Tsado, has called for the adoption of modern technology to enhance security and efficiency in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
He made this appeal on Tuesday during a public hearing by an independent investigative panel probing allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and degrading treatment within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Dr. Tsado emphasized that the manual systems currently used in Nigerian prisons were outdated and ineffective. He referenced advanced screening technologies deployed in UK prisons, advocating for similar upgrades in Nigeria.
“The use of technology can significantly enhance security and efficiency in our correctional centres. We must move beyond manual systems and embrace modern technology,” he stated.
He proposed the introduction of biometric identification, digital surveillance, and automated access control to improve operations and prevent security breaches.
Beyond technology, he also highlighted the importance of rehabilitation over punishment, noting that PFN’s restorative justice workshops have been instrumental in fostering collaboration among judges, police officers, and defence lawyers.
“Correctional centres should rehabilitate, not just punish,” he asserted.
Dr. Tsado further urged the NCoS to prioritize the welfare of awaiting-trial inmates, who constitute the majority of Nigeria’s prison population.
He stressed that these individuals, presumed innocent until proven guilty, must be given fair treatment, legal representation, and access to medical care.
Similarly, NCoS Controller General Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Assistant Controller General Ibrahim Idris, lamented the alarming rate of prison overcrowding.
He disclosed that over 80,000 inmates were currently in custody, with nearly 70 percent awaiting trial.
“We do not bring people into correctional centres; the judiciary has that statutory role. The courts decide on bail and legal processes,” he explained, attributing prolonged detentions to delays in court proceedings.
Despite these challenges, Nwakuche acknowledged the federal government’s support in providing vehicles for transporting inmates to court.
He assured that the NCoS was working towards decongesting custodial centres across the country.
As the push for prison reforms intensifies, stakeholders are urging the Nigerian government to embrace technology-driven solutions and ensure a more humane correctional system.
