Talking About Inmates’ Rehabilitation and Warders’ Remuneration
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
The success of every institution is hinged upon the commitment and determination of its personnel towards realising organisational goals. At this juncture, ensuring adequate staff welfare by any management can never be overemphasised.
Once this element is lacking, a vital ingredient is lost, and the success of that agency cannot be appropriately guaranteed.
Recall that in November last year, the Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, alongside other service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), appeared before the House of Representatives and briefed members on the country’s insecurity situation.
The Defence Chief lamented how some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, specifically prison warders, are conniving with criminals to finance terrorism and orchestrate plans aimed at carrying out attacks outside the walls.
He told the lawmakers that the terrorists were able to pass funds to their accomplices outside the prison using the accounts of some of the warders, adding that the deal was that anyone whose account was used would get a 50% share of the funds.
“In the north-east, when we were debriefing some of the arrested Boko Haram, they were able to tell us how, from the prison, they could plan operations out in the field,” he said.
Although the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, nothing has been heard about its update up to now.
Also, another report published by The Punch in October 2023 uncovered how the inmates and officials collaborate on drug dealings within and outside the walls, thereby undermining the rehabilitation process of the prisoners.
The findings of the report disclosed how ‘Igbo’, also known as Indian hemp, and other sorts of hard drugs are being traded among the inmates and prison officials.
The officials are also known to smuggle contraband, including generators and phones, among others—an act to which financial benefits are surely attached.
In addition, officials of the prisons have been fingered, on certain occasions, as accomplices to several jailbreaks that happened across Nigeria’s custodial centers.
However, in a move to address the abominable practices going on in its facilities, the NCoS management dismissed two officers last year and sanctioned 35 others for various misconducts.
According to the NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, the men were sanctioned for trafficking in contraband, unauthorised absence from duty, stealing, negligence of duty, criminal conspiracy, as well as aiding and abetting.
This was coming after the NCoS initially destroyed contraband confiscated from various custodial facilities, estimated at over N150 million as of March 24, 2023. The exhibits included cell phones, SIM cards, laptops, hard drugs, power banks, and other electronic devices.
Recall that the major mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service is ensuring that inmates are reformed, rehabilitated, and effectively reintegrated back into society.
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Formerly known as the Nigerian Prison Service but changed to NCoS as part of the reformation process by the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the service is bedevilled with a plethora of problems, hampering its ability to reform inmates. Apart from prison congestion, there is also the problem of corruption or compromise among some officials.
Nonetheless, findings revealed that poor staff welfare is the main factor responsible for the rising cases of trafficking across the facilities. As a result, staff resorts to engaging in unwholesome acts in order to make ends meet.
A prison staff member who spoke to The Punch under the condition of anonymity said, “Staff welfare is nothing to write home about. Some are still stuck in one rank for years without promotion. Imagine an officer on level seven for 10 years without promotion. How do you expect the officer to perform excellently? Some officers are promoted without being paid their arrears, while others are paid with huge deductions.
“The monthly salary of the lowest-ranking officer (Correctional Assistant III) is N38,000. How do you expect such officers to perform well? This has led many officers to bring prohibited items like Indian hemp, alcohol, etc. to the yard for inmates. They sell these things to them to augment their income.”
In order to achieve the ongoing process of prison reformation, prioritising the welfare packages of the warders by the federal government can never be downplayed.
Because improving the welfare of prison warders is not just a matter of basic human decency, it is a vital tool for achieving two crucial goals: successful inmate rehabilitation and tackling organisational crimes within the prison walls.
Remember that overworked and underpaid warders are more susceptible to bribery and manipulation by inmates. Improved welfare reduces these vulnerabilities, making them less likely to turn a blind eye to illegal activities like drug trafficking or planning escapes.
Notwithstanding, well-paid, well-trained, and adequately supported warders are less likely to suffer from stress and depression. This makes them more patient, empathetic, and better equipped to engage with inmates in a positive and constructive way, fostering positive relationships and encouraging pro-social behaviour.
Prison officials who understand rehabilitation strategies can implement them effectively and guide inmates towards education, skill-building, and mental health support. This lays the groundwork for successful reintegration into society upon release, reducing recidivism rates.
In the long run, training programs that emphasise ethical conduct, coupled with fair working conditions and opportunities for career advancement, foster a culture of integrity and professionalism within the correctional system. This makes it harder for corrupt practices to emerge.
Therefore, investing in worker welfare has a ripple effect. Safer prisons with lower recidivism rates make communities safer. Reduced corruption strengthens public trust in the correctional system. Moreover, a more positive and rehabilitative prison environment benefits not just inmates but also warders themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of well-being and effectiveness.
All in all, prioritising the welfare of prison warders is a strategic investment in public safety, rehabilitation, and a more just correctional system.
MUKHTAR is the author of “National Security Strategies: A Young Writer’s Perspective” and is a senior correspondent with the Emergency Digest.
