The federal government has inaugurated the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Training College in Kebbi State. The induction of the first set of 100 officers to be trained on basic handling of inmates for corrective measures was also carried out.
According to the Commandant of the college, Hamisu Isa, who spoke at the start of the training in Makera, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday, the participants were drawn from various commands of the service and would undergo a three months training in the college.
He said, “apart from training on basic handling of inmates, the training, which was for Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSPs), would also enable the officers to acquire leadership skills.
“The service is now concerned with how to correct inmates on wrongdoings unlike in the past where inmates were subjected to all forms of hard labour. Stone breaking, cutting of grasses, firewood collection and a host of others, are some of the punitive measures, which are no longer part of the service.
“Government also realised that it’s only a waste of time feeding criminals and at the end, they go back to the same crime hence, the decision for the new reform.”
The Governor of Kebbi state, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu expressed his government’s commitment to assist the service where necessary.
He said his government “demonstrated commitment by donating a secondary school instead of a piece of land requested by the service for the establishment of the training college.”
