NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ACT, 2019
Act · Security
Policy date: 2019-01-01
An Act reforms Nigeria's prison system by establishing a modern correctional framework that emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. It targets officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, inmates, and justice sector actors. This aims to improve detention conditions and reduce overcrowding.
NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ACT, 2019
What Is This Policy?
An Act that reforms Nigeria's prison system by replacing the old Prisons Act with a modern correctional framework, renaming prisons as correctional centres, and emphasising rehabilitation over punitive detention.
Who Does It Target?
Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) officers and administrators Inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities Courts and justice sector actors Civil society organisations working on prison reform
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Transform Nigerian prisons into correctional centres focused on rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and reintegration; improve conditions of detention; and reduce overcrowding and pre-trial detention.
Key Features
Rebranding and Reform: Renames the Nigerian Prisons Service as the Nigerian Correctional Service and prisons as correctional centres. Non-Custodial Measures: Introduces non-custodial sentences including community service, electronic monitoring, and parole to reduce prison population. Inmates Rights: Codifies the rights of inmates including access to healthcare, education, legal aid, and family visits. Rehabilitation Programmes: Mandates skills acquisition, education, and vocational training programmes within correctional centres.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - NCoS is implementing provisions progressively Coverage: All correctional centres nationwide Beneficiaries: Inmates, families of inmates, communities receiving rehabilitated ex-offenders Funding: Federal Government appropriations
How to Access
Inmates: rights are automatic upon admission Visitors: comply with facility access procedures NGOs: obtain permission from NCoS to operate programmes within facilities Application method: Contact the Nigerian Correctional Service headquarters for partnership or programme requests.
Important Terms
Pre-trial detainees must be separated from convicted inmates Conditions of detention must meet minimum humanitarian standards Solitary confinement is restricted and subject to oversight
Impact & Metrics
Legal framework for a more humane and effective correctional system; pilot programmes for non-custodial sentencing in several states.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ncs.gov.ng Contact: Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)
Legal Framework
The Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 replaced the Prisons Act and is the primary legislation governing custodial centres in Nigeria. It derives constitutional authority from Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (right to personal liberty) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The Act aligns with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), the UN Convention Against Torture, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Luanda Guidelines on Arrest and Pre-Trial Detention.