Six inmates studying for doctorate, 1,000 pursuing undergraduate degrees – NCoS

The Nigeria Correctional Service said on Thursday that the Federal Government has increased the food allowance for prisoners.

It was also revealed that over 1,000 inmates are currently pursuing university degrees, while six are studying for a PhD.

The increase in meals allowed to prisoners follows a recent viral video in which inmates at a correctional centre in Calabar, Cross River State, complained about inadequate food.

Speaking at the monthly press conference of the Inter-Agency Committee on Strategic Communications in Abuja on Thursday, the service’s spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the increase was due to the rising cost of food.

He said: “The viral video is not a representation of the Nigeria Correctional Service, nor is it a mandate from the service on the reform and rehabilitation of inmates. I would like to make it known here that since the inception of the name change, significant progress has been made in the reform of those in our custody.

“Four days ago, I gave an interview where we provided details about the alleged video. The NCoS has actually ordered a detailed investigation into the said video, which is going viral. And on the outcome of the investigation, I may not be able to say much.

“And on the issue of food costs, the federal government has actually revised the food allowance for inmates in our custody by 50 percent. And that’s just the first phase of the revision.”

Umar further said that the NCoS has created an enabling environment for inmates to fulfill its mandate of reform and rehabilitation.

He added that more than 1,000 inmates are college students, 282 are pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and six are completing a PhD.

Umar said, “Let me say that currently, in an effort to ensure that we have what I call public safety through our reformatory activities, we have over 1,000 of our inmates who are actually pursuing their various undergraduate programs, 282 are pursuing their diploma and master’s programs, and six are pursuing their doctoral program. Three of the doctoral students are already writing their thesis.

“This is all part of our efforts to ensure that we change the psyche and behavior of our inmates and help them reintegrate into society.

“It is the care we provide to these inmates in our custody that has created a calm environment to help them gain skills in our custody center.”