Former Correctional Service Spokesman Urges States to Reduce Prison Overcrowding.

A former spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Francis Enobore, has urged state governments to take greater responsibility for addressing overcrowding in custodial centres, noting that the majority of inmates are being held for offences under state laws.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Enobore made the call during an interview in Abuja, following recent remarks by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, that about 93 per cent of inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities are in custody for state offences.

He explained that Nigeria’s custodial population currently stands at about 80,733 inmates, with fewer than 6,000 being held for federal offences, leaving more than 75,000 inmates detained over violations of state laws.

Enobore expressed concern that over 65 per cent of inmates are awaiting trial, blaming prolonged court processes and delays in the administration of justice for worsening congestion in correctional centres. He noted that many suspects arrested for minor offences spend years in detention despite the availability of alternative forms of punishment.

The retired correctional officer criticised the country’s heavy reliance on imprisonment, arguing that non custodial measures such as community service, probation, restorative justice, fines, suspended sentences, house arrest, electronic monitoring and compensation orders could effectively reduce congestion while promoting rehabilitation.

He warned that overcrowded correctional facilities expose minor offenders to hardened criminals, making proper inmate classification and rehabilitation more difficult while increasing the risks of radicalisation, repeat offences and security breaches.

Enobore also highlighted the financial burden of prison congestion, estimating that feeding the 75,081 inmates held for state offences alone costs more than ₦2.53 billion every month at the current feeding allowance of ₦1,125 per inmate per day, excluding healthcare, accommodation, security, transportation and other operational expenses.

He added that following the movement of correctional services from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, state governments would be expected to play a greater role in correctional administration and prison reforms.

Enobore maintained that reducing prison congestion would improve inmate welfare, strengthen rehabilitation programmes, protect human rights and ease pressure on correctional personnel and facilities.