Abia Correctional Officers Trained on Non-Custodial Measures in Justice Reform Drive

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Abia State Command, through its Non-Custodial Directorate, recently benefited from a 2-day capacity-building training organized by Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA). The training was part of the "Advancing the Implementation of Non-Custodial SolutionsÔÇØ project, supported by International IDEA and funded by the European Union.

Held from the 2nd to the 3rd of July 2025, the two-day workshop aimed to deepen Non-Custodial officers' understanding of non-custodial measures and equip them to effectively implement alternatives to imprisonment, in line with ongoing reforms in Nigeria's justice system.

The training, themed "Strengthening the Capacity of Non-Custodial Officers Towards Advancing the Implementation of Non-Custodial Measures," brought together officers from the Non-Custodial Directorate of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). It focused on enhancing their practical knowledge of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 and related legal frameworks.

The event opened with a welcome address delivered by Dr. Chinyere Ehihigbe, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Non-Custodial, on behalf of the Abia State Controller of Corrections. Goodwill messages followed from Mr. Ibrahim Abdulla, representing the Controller-General of Corrections; Ms. Onyedikachi Odi of International IDEA; and Mr. Habu Gambo, who spoke on behalf of Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of PRAWA.

Chioma Anuna, Esq., the team lead and lead facilitator, outlined the objectives of the training which among them being the need to bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen Non-Custodial officers' capacity to implement non-custodial measures under the NCoS Act 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

Key topics covered during the training included:

Legal and Operational Frameworks for Non-Custodial Measures

Community Service Orders: Implementation, monitoring, and compliance

Probation Orders: Risk assessment, supervision, and legal obligations

Parole Administration: Eligibility, reintegration support, and multi-agency collaboration

Suspended Sentences: Guidelines for execution and follow-up

Field Experiences: Sharing practical lessons and challenges from the field

The training was further co-facilitated by Dahiru Muhammad, who provided legal insights, real-life case studies, and policy-oriented recommendations for strengthening non-custodial practice in Nigeria

Participants described the training as timely and highly impactful, emphasizing its relevance in addressing prison overcrowding, promoting offender rehabilitation, and advancing the shift toward community-based alternatives to incarceration.

This initiative reflects a growing need to embed non-custodial measures more effectively within Nigeria's criminal justice system, ensuring it is more humane, efficient, and rehabilitative.