THE CORRECTONAL SERVICE ACT AND RIGHTS OF PRISONERS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Nigeria Prison Service represents a traditional criminal justice system of punishment philosophy which places emphasis on merely to punish the offender rather than correction of the offender. In 2019, the law establishing the Nigerian Prison Service, was reviewed and became known as the Nigerian Correctional Service. The passing into law of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act has been applauded in many quarters. With this ovation that greeted the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, it became imperative to examine the major changes introduced by the Nigerian Correctional Service Act with a view to identifying the place of the inmate in the new law. This work commenced by examining the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, with a view to pointing out the need for speedy implementation of Act. A prisoner should not be subjected to conditions in prisons that are dehumanizing or degrading when the law has adequately catered for the entrenchment and establishment of their rights as human beings. For the non-custodial outfit to operate effectively, trained personnel especially in areas of human rights, paroles, probations, rehabilitation and community service must be employed/deployed to the appropriate departments of the correctional service facilities. Technology is also a vital prerequisite, The non-custodial faculty can only effectively operate if technological facilities, used in tracking criminals such as data mapping crime, smart phone tracking, Wi-Fi capabilities and biometrics is present, which will be used especially to track offenders on parole. Governments at all levels, should put in efforts to support the federal government in making sure that the Correctional Service Act, succeeds as it gives priority to the reform of the inmates and seeks to curtail retrogression and uphold best international standard.