Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has announced a plan to upgrade the vocational and skill acquisition centre at Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility to enhance rehabilitation and reduce the tendency for inmates to relapse into criminal activities.
The governor, who visited the facility in Maiduguri, emphasised that the essence of prison sentences was to transform lives, not just to confine individuals.
He commended men and officers of Maiduguri Correctional service for keeping the environment of the facility very clean.
He said, “I am here to examine the living conditions of the inmates here, especially in the areas of technical and vocational skills.
Zulum said that he was in the facility suprisingly to examine those that have overstayed within the ambit of the law and look into the possibility of releasing them.
“The essence of keeping them at the correctional facility is largely to reform them, but this cannot be feasible without facilities on the ground. We can also examine cases of some inmates, and within the ambit of the law, we will look to the possibility of releasing those convicted of minor offences,” Zulum said.
Responding, Ibrahim Bawa, the state Controller of Corrections Service said there was need for the Borno State Government to support the NCoS, especially the inmates with enough industries to strengthen their capacity building after serving their jail term.
He assured the Governor of his commitment to liaise with the relevant judiciary bodies and feedback on the way forward for the release of the inmates.
Zulum was accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba, Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mallumbe, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Shiekh Modu Mustapha, and the permanent secretary of the Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma.
