Jail Breaks: PRAWA Advocates Modernization of Nigeria’s Correctional System
The President of the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, has advised the federal government to hasten the process of modernizing Nigeria’s correctional system, amid the rise in jail breaks and escaping of inmates.
She made the call on Friday at a media briefing organized by PRAWA in partnership with the National Civil Society Forum on Detention and Corrections in Abuja.
Speaking at the briefing themed: “Urgent Call for Effective Implementation of Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019,” Agomoh, said that it has become abundantly clear that Nigeria’s correctional facilities are facing a crisis of monumental proportions, in the light of recent events at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State.
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Recall that a downpour in Suleja town, Niger State, recently destroyed the perimeter fence of the Suleja prison. Over 100 inmates were reported to have escaped, though about nine of them were later re-arrested.
The PRAWA International boss observed that the destruction of infrastructure and subsequent escape of inmates underscored the urgent need for enhanced security measures and modernization of the country’s correctional system.
She said: “We strongly recommend the immediate deployment and utilization of advanced monitoring devices as stipulated in Section 28 of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019.
“Again, the establishment and maintenance of fully-equipped armed squads, intelligence, and investigation units, as mandated by the Act, are crucial for enhancing security, surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering within correctional facilities”.
