The Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) has said that starting Non-custodial sentencing will help with the issue of overcrowded prisons.

This information was shared by NCoS Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), DSC Duza Adamu, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Adamu pointed out that the NCoS is working hard to raise awareness about Non-custodial sentencing in the FCT. He mentioned that when judges pick this option, fewer people end up in prison.

“Non-custodial service provides alternatives to serving time in jail. So, in situations where jail time isn’t needed, we suggest dealing with these cases through non-custodial methods,” he explained.

He also said that this method aims to help young offenders by getting them involved in community service, probation, fines, suspended sentences, parole, plea bargaining, compensation, and restitution, especially for those who are first-time offenders.

Adamu further noted that the agency frequently visits the chief judge of the FCT to push for regular checks of correctional facilities, which are called jail delivery exercises. During these visits, judges go to prisons to look over the cases of inmates waiting for trial and release those who do not have any business being in prison.

”The chief judge of the FCT has been coming, periodically, to our centres, to see how they can release those who don’t have business being in the custodial centres. This is also part of the efforts to decongest our facilities,” he said.

The NCoS FCT public relations officer further said that the agency was also committed to classifying inmates in the custodial centres through systematic assessment into specific custody or supervision levels.

”When inmates are properly classified to the appropriate correctional resources that matches individual risks, behavioral patterns, and personal needs, it promotes institutional safety, tailored rehabilitation plans, and aids decongestion.

”In the FCT, we have a facility called Custodial Model Farm Centre, Dupka, in Gwagwalada, for inmates who have less time to stay, say between one month and a year.

”They are sent there, for proper management and rehabilitation. They engage in different kinds of activities, such as vocational skills, education, and farm activities to empower them upon discharge.

”However it is still beyond the control of NCoS to fully decongest the facility due to increase in crime on a daily basis, but the agency will continue to do its best to ensure that prisons are not over congested,” Adamu said.

He noted that anyone caught for crime ought to be dealt with according to the law, adding that in view of this number of inmates kept increasing.

(NAN)