The Nigerian Correctional Service stated on Tuesday that 25,679 individuals were sentenced to non-prison punishments in the Federal Capital Territory over a span of five years.
The NCoS Act, 2019 introduced the non-prison component into NCoS operations, outlining its functions, power to make regulations and guidelines, and enabling parole, probation, community service, restorative justice measures, and other non-prison measures.
The non-prison service directorate operates in the six Area Councils of the FCT to implement measures determined by a competent court of jurisdiction.
Adamu Duza, the NCoS spokesperson for FCT Command, stated, "The total number of offenders sentenced to non-prison punishments from 2019 to date is 25,679."
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Duza mentioned, "We supervised over 21,000 offenders in FCT alone. If these numbers had been sent to our facilities, it would have led to overcrowding and potential health risks."
However, Duza expressed regret over the lack of cooperation with the non-prison service, and added that, "The public stigmatizes the offenders, disregarding the reformative processes they have undergone."
Therefore, the spokesperson urged all government agencies, community leaders, and religious leaders, among others, to lend support to the non-prison service of the NCoS for the safety of Nigeria.
