Authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) have been charged to ensure sufficient reform and rehabilitation of inmates of its correctional centres across the country.
The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, who gave the charge when the Assistant Comptroller-General of Correctional Service, (ACGCS) in-charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, Charles Ogwude, paid him a courtesy visit in his Palace.
Asagba Prof Azinge noted that records had shown that many ex-convicts soon returned to crime because they were not sufficiently reformed and rehabilitated while in carceration to be able to reintegrate with the society,
The highly revered traditional ruler added that the situation was also responsible for the return of inmates who escaped during jail breaks to crime, leading to their re-arrest.
He expressed concern about the enormous challenges facing the Correctional Service, which had affected its efficiency, limiting the organisation from effectively performing its constitutional role of correcting the inmates, stressing that the service was yet to get to where it ought to be in comparison with other paramilitary organisations in the country.
His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Azinge regretted that though constitutional amendment had deregulated the Correctional Service to involve the states, the financial implication of going into the Service was beyond the states, thereby further compounding the challenges of the Service, especially with the prevailing inflationary trend and the increasing number of inmates.
He thanked ACGCS Ogwude for the visit, congratulated him on the height he just attained and urged him to use his position to make a difference in the training and productivity of inmates of the correctional centres.
Earlier,, the Assistant Comptrolker – General of Correctional Service, an Asaba indigene, said the visit was to congratulate the Asagba on his successful coronation and seek royal blessings for the height he had attained and for the aspirations ahead of him.
ACGCS Ogwude said he was happy with the progress Asaba had made since Asagba Prof Azinge ascended the throne, describing him as God-sent.
