The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has identified overcrowded custodial centres, inadequate funding and widespread discrimination against former inmates as major obstacles to effective rehabilitation and reintegration in Nigeria.
The service warned that ageing vocational equipment, insufficient training facilities and a shortage of skilled instructors were also limiting efforts to prepare inmates for productive lives after serving their sentences.
NCoS Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, disclosed this while responding to questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) about the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes across the country’s correctional facilities.
Nigeria’s Correctional Centres Hold Over 86,000 Inmates
Osuji revealed that correctional facilities currently accommodate 86,486 inmates, despite having a combined installed capacity of 68,486.
The figures indicate that the facilities are holding approximately 18,000 people above their intended capacity, placing considerable pressure on accommodation, infrastructure and rehabilitation services.
She explained that congestion makes it increasingly difficult for correctional authorities to provide adequate training, education and other programmes designed to help inmates develop useful skills.
Beyond overcrowding, limited financial resources and outdated workshop equipment continue to affect the quality and accessibility of vocational training.
NCoS Expands Education and Vocational Training
Despite these challenges, Osuji said rehabilitation remains a core responsibility of the Nigerian Correctional Service under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.
She explained that the service combines formal education, vocational training and psychosocial support to encourage behavioural improvement and prepare inmates for life outside custody.
Educational opportunities include basic literacy classes, secondary-level studies and university programmes offered through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
According to Osuji, the service operates 18 NOUN study centres within correctional facilities nationwide, with more than 1,125 inmates participating in various educational programmes.
She specifically identified 261 undergraduate students and 62 postgraduate students among the beneficiaries.
Vocational training programmes cover tailoring, carpentry, welding, electrical installation, agriculture, information technology and other practical trades.
The aim, she explained, is to equip inmates with employable skills and improve their chances of earning a lawful income after release.
Stigma and Unemployment Make Reintegration Difficult
The NCoS spokesperson expressed concern that many former inmates struggle to rebuild their lives because of discrimination, unemployment and rejection by family members.
She said difficulties securing accommodation, financial support and business start-up resources often complicate the transition from custody to society.
These challenges, she explained, can weaken the benefits of rehabilitation programmes even when inmates acquire educational qualifications or vocational skills while in custody.
Osuji therefore appealed to employers, families and community leaders to support former inmates who demonstrate a willingness to live responsibly.
She stressed that successful reintegration requires opportunities for meaningful employment, social acceptance and continued support after release.
Only 42 Inmates Received Business Starter Packs in 2025
As part of its reintegration strategy, the Nigerian Correctional Service provides selected inmates with trade-related tools and equipment to help them establish small businesses after release.
Osuji disclosed that approximately 42 inmates benefited from the starter-pack initiative in 2025.
She acknowledged that the number remained relatively small compared with the wider population of individuals leaving correctional facilities.
The service also works with families, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other partners to provide counselling, mediation and psychological support.
According to Osuji, preparation for reintegration begins when individuals enter custody, allowing rehabilitation activities to be tailored to their educational, vocational and personal needs.
NCoS Reports Decline in Repeat Offenders
Osuji also referred to figures attributed to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, showing a decline in recorded repeat offenders between 2024 and 2025.
The number reportedly fell from 3,156 in 2024 to 1,392 in 2025, while the inmate population figures cited for the two years were 80,430 and 83,233 respectively.
Although the figures suggest a reduction in recorded repeat offending, Osuji cautioned against automatically attributing the change to particular rehabilitation programmes.
She explained that reliable conclusions would require consistent data collection, post-release monitoring and systematic evaluation of rehabilitation outcomes.
The correctional service is consequently working to improve its digital records and tracking systems to support more accurate assessments.
Correctional Service Seeks Better Funding and Partnerships
Osuji said the NCoS was pursuing infrastructure expansion, workshop modernisation, improved educational opportunities and stronger non-custodial measures to reduce pressure on custodial facilities.
She also highlighted the importance of private-sector partnerships in providing training, employment opportunities and other forms of support for former inmates.
The spokesperson maintained that rehabilitation programmes should be assessed using measurable outcomes, including course completion, educational qualifications, vocational certifications and evidence of behavioural improvement.
She added that public safety and the welfare of crime victims must remain important considerations in reintegration policies.
Osuji urged government institutions, employers, civil society organisations and communities to work more closely with correctional authorities to create sustainable opportunities for former inmates.
The service believes that stronger cooperation, adequate funding and greater public acceptance will be essential to making Nigeria’s correctional rehabilitation system more effective.
