By Palma Ileye
Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA), has concluded a three-day Regional Conference on Prisoner Classification and the Use of Technology in Prison Settings in Africa, with participating countries adopting a landmark communiqué to strengthen correctional administration across the continent.
The conference, held in Abuja, brought together Heads of Correctional Services, policymakers, criminal justice experts, development partners and delegates from 11 African countries to exchange knowledge, share experiences and develop practical strategies for improving prisoner classification, technology-driven prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration.
This was disclosed in a statement by Jane Osuji, Chief Superintendent of Corrections and Service Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, described the conference as a significant milestone in Africa’s collective pursuit of modern, secure and humane correctional systems.
Nwakuche said the technical sessions and deliberations produced practical, forward-looking recommendations that would strengthen prisoner classification systems, encourage the responsible deployment of technology and improve offender rehabilitation across correctional institutions in Africa.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to implementing the outcomes of the conference through concrete policies and operational reforms.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service will domesticate the outcomes of this conference and ensure that its recommendations are translated into actionable policies and programmes. We remain committed to building correctional institutions that are secure, humane, technology-driven and aligned with international best practices,” he said.
The Controller-General noted that technology has become indispensable to modern correctional administration but stressed that its effective deployment depends on competent personnel, sound data management, institutional accountability and sustained collaboration among criminal justice stakeholders.
He added that these priorities align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nwakuche also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his support for correctional reforms, while commending UNODC, ACSA, the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other development partners for contributing to the success of the conference.
Speaking on behalf of UNODC, Inter-Regional Adviser and Team Leader on Prison and Penal Reform, Philipp Meissner, praised Nigeria’s progress in strengthening prisoner classification under the leadership of the Controller-General.
According to him, African correctional services have moved beyond discussions on reform to implementing practical solutions capable of transforming correctional administration across the continent.
“This conference is not about laying foundations; it is about building on success. We now have practical tools, stronger partnerships and correctional systems that continue to evolve through collaboration and shared learning,” Meissner said.
He added that the conference, held to commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day, reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, popularly known as the Mandela Rules, and the promotion of dignity, justice and rehabilitation within correctional institutions.
Presenting the conference communiqué on behalf of participating countries, Principal Official of ACSA, Dr. Francis Omene, commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for creating an enabling environment for regional cooperation in correctional administration.
Omene said the communiqué reflected a collective commitment by African correctional services to strengthen prisoner classification systems, enhance regional information sharing, invest in staff capacity development, expand the use of technology in prison management and align correctional practices with the Mandela Rules and other international standards.
Responding on behalf of participating delegations, ACSA Vice Chairman, Sabila Sawadogo, described the conference as one of the most impactful correctional gatherings on the continent in recent years.
He commended the Federal Government, the Nigerian Correctional Service and its leadership for successfully hosting the conference and acknowledged the continued support of UNODC, ACSA, ICRC and other partners in advancing correctional reforms across Africa.
“Every Correctional Officer is a manager of human beings, not just a warden,” Sawadogo said, urging correctional institutions across the continent to sustain collaboration, embrace innovation and continue sharing best practices to address emerging correctional challenges.
The conference ended with participating countries unanimously adopting a shared roadmap to strengthen regional cooperation, institutionalise effective prisoner classification systems, expand the responsible use of technology in correctional administration and promote secure, humane and rehabilitation-focused correctional systems across Africa.
The outcome, stakeholders noted, further reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in correctional reforms and its commitment to advancing regional partnerships for sustainable criminal justice development.
