How to Decongest Nigerian Prisons – Expert
Nigeria has a high number of people in pre-trial detention, which contribute to overcrowding in its custodial facilities, says the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA,
The civil society body made this known in Abuja at a ‘High-Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Administration’.
The conference was organized by the Federal Ministry of Interior and supported by the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, PRAWA, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.
Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of PRAWA, while speaking at the event, however said that reforms to pre-trial detention can help alleviate overcrowding and ensure that people not held in custody unnecessary.
She noted that providing training and capacity building for law enforcement officials, judges, and other relevant stakeholders can help ensure that pre-trial detention guidelines are properly implemented and that reforms are effectively carried out.
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She observed that addressing pre-trial detention requires collaboration across a range of stakeholders, including the judiciary, law enforcement, civil society, and international partners.
According to Agomoh, collaboration can help ensure that pre-trial detention reforms are comprehensive and effective.
She said that developing clear guidelines for pre-trial detention can help ensure that detention is only used when necessary and that people are not held in custody longer than required.
According to the PRAWA boss, guidelines can provide guidance on factors such as the length of pre-trial detention, the use of bail, and the use of alternative sentencing options.
Agomoh said: “Pre-trial detention reforms require broader criminal justice reforms to address systemic issues that contribute to lengthy pre-trial detention, such as corruption, inadequate funding, or ineffective judicial systems”.
In his keynote remark, Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the NCoS, said the conference was organized to help develop effective, efficient and sustainable strategies for managing pre-trial detention, overcrowding detention-related reforms at the national and sub-national levels.
By PRNigeria.
