Effective prison management not only ensures safety within and outside the prison setting but also promotes the rehabilitation and social reintegration of former inmates into society. At the heart of this endeavor is the strengthening of institutional knowledge – a practice that empowers people in an institution to perform optimally on the job while ensuring the preservation and transfer of knowledge when necessary. By enhancing the expertise and capabilities of correctional officers, they can significantly improve their knowledge and human-relations skills and, in turn, the treatment and outcomes for prisoners in their custodial centers.
To strengthen institutional knowledge in Prisoner Classification & promote the practical application of #MandelaRules, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), convened 26 training officers from various Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Training Colleges for a 3-day Training of Trainers workshop in Lagos.
The training workshop, which explored the UNODC E-Learning Course on Prisoner Classification, followed a 4-day training workshop on international minimum standards and good practices related to the classification of inmates, including the treatment of inmates with special needs, women inmates and those assessed to be of high risk.
To ensure the sustainability of the project outcomes and encourage participation and the practical application of knowledge, the Training of Trainers (ToT) was conducted by three officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service. These officers had previously undergone training with UNODC. An evaluation of the training indicated that the officers had gained a robust understanding on the distinction between inmate separation and inmate classification. They also shared ideas on how UNODC can institutionalize the training and other crucial interventions already introduced to the NCoS. By empowering these training officers to step down the training, UNODC hopes to create a ripple effect of knowledge and impact.
Reflecting on the workshop, AS1 AC Rita, says ‘I am grateful to UNODC and State INL for the knowledge gained, especially in reclassification. Inmate classification is a continuous process, till the inmate is well rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community. I will go back to my training college to impart others.”
CS KA. Olenloa, also mentioned that the training provided them with an opportunity to “broaden their curriculum in their training center. He added, “Your investment in us is highly valued and appreciated; we will use it excellently well.” Re-echoing what others have said, SC AD. Wadai remarked “What we used to do wasn’t totally geared towards correction. What we have learned has broadened our horizons. Proper classification strengthens rehabilitation.”
The workshop formed part of UNODC's technical assistance to the Nigerian Correctional Service under the project "Strengthening the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the North-Eastern States" funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Our work on prison and penal reform aims to improve public safety through enhanced dignity and humane treatment of incarcerated people, in line with the UNODC Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030.
