The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Cross River State has raised concerns over a surprising challenge: a severe shortage of inmates that is disrupting farming and community service programs designed to rehabilitate offenders.
Speaking at a two-day town hall meeting on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), organized by the CLEEN Foundation, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Mr. Ibiang Otu, who represented the State Controller Mr. William Frai, revealed that the state’s six correctional facilities currently house only 897 inmates—the lowest number in the South-South region.
Otu emphasized the impact of the shortage on the Adim facility, a farm settlement meant to equip inmates with agricultural skills.
With a capacity of 200, the facility now holds just 37 inmates. “We need more inmates to help with farming activities,” he said. “The courts should convict more suspects so they can either boost or acquire farming skills. However, we only send young inmates under 30 years old, who have committed minor offenses, to Adim for six months of agricultural training.”
While the Calabar Correctional Centre is overcrowded, housing 579 inmates against a capacity of 450, other facilities are significantly underpopulated. Ikom has 69 inmates out of 200, Ogoja has 97 out of 400, Obudu has 43 out of 47, and Obubra has 127 inmates.
Otu attributed the declining inmate population to increased advocacy by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the enforcement of the ACJL, which promotes non-custodial sentencing. Currently, 18 individuals are serving community service sentences instead of jail time.
However, Otu noted that logistical challenges make it difficult to effectively monitor their compliance.
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