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Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), in Enugu, has said about 200 inmates are taking degree and higher degree programmes at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) in-charge of the MSCC, Dr. Sunday Igwe, who made the disclosure in Enugu, said a bulk of the inmates were undergoing their first degrees while others were undergoing their masters and doctorate degrees. He also disclosed that recently, over 102 inmates sat for the just-concluded National Examination Council (NECO) examination in anticipation of pursuing degree courses.
According to him, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) under the current Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, have continued to make monumental impact on inmates’ reformation and upgrade through education.
Igwe said that the current leadership of the NCoS had prioritised humane and impact-driven reformation especially educational upgrade and certification of inmates.
“Once they are here; we don’t just keep them idling away; we engage them in so many things that would make their stay worthwhile.
“In most instances; most of them come here without knowing how to write their names.
“As we engage them here through the process of education; some of them leave here with their degree certificates on various courses.
“We are in partnership with NECO and NOUN to achieve this result-oriented and impact-driven educational reformation.
“In NOUN, over 200 of them in this Medium Security Custodial Centre, are undertaking various degree-awarding courses,” he said.
He said that it was heartwarming to note that in a facility of over 3,000 inmates, about 200 of them are actively engaged in pursuing university education.
Igwe said apart from education; the inmates are engaged in learning crafts and vocations, through the tailoring, carpentry and welding workshops at the centre.
He thanked the Assistant Controller-General of NCoS in-charge of Zone M, Enugu, ACG Prisca Oku, and the Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Valins Obizue, for their support and guidance
“As government cannot do it all alone, we are calling on public-spirited individuals, groups and organisations to partner with the NCoS to sustain all the engagements and programmes of reformation in this centre,” he said
