In furtherance of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) efforts, and in keeping with the need to support the right to health of people in custodial centres and access to health care services free of charge and without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status (Nelson Mandela Rules), UNODC supplied PPE materials including hand gloves, face masks, automated hand sanitizer dispensers, hand sanitizers, and infrared thermometers to the headquarters of NCoS in Abuja.
This is the third consignment which UNODC is providing to NCoS; the first being in April and the second in May 2020, when NCoS was provided personal protective equipment (PPE) materials for onward delivery to custodial centres in Nigeria
As coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to exert its toll on populations around the world, people who work or live in prisons and other closed settings are more vulnerable to the outbreak than the general population due to their confinement, overcrowding, and background health challenges. Although people confined in prison in countries around the world have suffered from the impact of the disease, its impact on people in custodial centres in Nigeria seems to have been limited. This may be due to several interventions conducted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) with the support of the international community. These efforts included the reduction of overcrowding, ensuring health, safety and human dignity, and gender-responsive approaches.
UNODC will continue to partner with the management of NCoS and other stakeholders to support preventive measures to safeguard the health of the people living (inmates) and working (staff) in custodial centres in Nigeria.
While receiving the items donated by UNODC to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Emmanuel Gopep (Controller of Corrections) stated that the NCoS appreciates the support of the UNODC in their efforts at preventing COVID—19 in the Nigerian Correctional Service. He assured that the donated items will be judiciously utilized.