Prisons Must Reform Inmates, Not Punish Them, Insists Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has restated that Nigeria’s correctional centres must be geared toward reforming and rehabilitating inmates rather than serving as punitive facilities.

Speaking during the mid-tenure performance review of his ministry in Suleja, Niger State, Tunji-Ojo explained that the philosophy of imprisonment should be about transforming offenders into responsible citizens who can be reintegrated into society.

He stressed that punishment alone does little to address the root causes of crime.
The minister pointed out that several reforms are currently underway to improve correctional services across the country. One of the key initiatives, he noted, was the settlement of fines for more than 4,000 low-risk inmates through partnerships with the private sector.

This effort, he said, not only secured the release of inmates who had been held over minor offences but also saved the government over ₦1 billion in decongestion expenses.

Figures released by the Nigerian Correctional Service indicate that the inmate population has dropped from about 86,000 to roughly 81,450, following the release of 4,550 prisoners—most of whom were either held for petty offences, unable to pay fines, or subjected to prolonged detention.

Tunji-Ojo expressed concern over the high percentage of inmates awaiting trial, which he said stands at nearly 67 percent of the prison population. According to him, this remains one of the major factors contributing to overcrowding and undermining rehabilitation efforts.

To address systemic challenges, the minister disclosed that the government is professionalising the correctional service by introducing psychological evaluations for officers, tightening anti-corruption measures within facilities, and improving overall custodial management. These steps, he maintained, are essential to ensure that correctional centres are capable of reforming offenders.

He assured that the Ministry of Interior will continue to work with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to strengthen policies, improve funding, and ensure that the correctional system aligns with global standards.
“The correctional system should not be seen as a place for perpetual punishment but as a centre for reform, rehabilitation, and reintegration. That is the only way we can build a safer society,” Tunji-Ojo said.