Abuja: The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasized the importance of inmates’ classification and the integration of technology as critical components in the management of Correctional Centres across the African continent. This statement was made during the opening of a Regional Conference on Prisoner Classification and the Use of Technology in Prison Settings held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Prisoner Classification as the Foundation of Effective Prison Management,’ aims to provide participating African nations with contemporary and practical strategies aimed at enhancing safety, efficiency, and a rehabilitation-focused approach to prison administration. Dr. Tunji-Ojo reiterated the Nigerian Federal Government’s dedication to overhauling the country’s correctional system, stressing that effective prisoner classification is fundamental to humane and rehabilitative prison management.
‘We must leverage technology to enhance security, reduce recidivism and transform our correctional facilities into true centres of reformation,’ Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, also praised Nigeria’s initiatives in prison reforms. He highlighted UNODC’s commitment to supporting the Nelson Mandela rules and the responsible implementation of digital tools within prison environments.
Additionally, Mr. Makgothi Thobakgale, Chairperson of the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA) and National Commissioner of the South African Department of Correctional Services, underscored the importance of regional cooperation. Thobakgale noted that inmates’ classification is the cornerstone of effective prison management, advocating for knowledge sharing and technological innovation to enhance correctional systems across Africa.
In alignment with these sentiments, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, remarked that the conference serves as a crucial platform for adopting best correctional practices. ‘This conference provides a vital platform for us to adopt best practices in classification and technology deployment, as well as addressing overcrowding and improving rehabilitation outcomes in line with global standards,’ Nwakuche said.
The conference witnessed the participation of heads of Correctional Services from several African countries and international experts, fostering a collaborative effort towards improved correctional systems across the continent.