Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Akwa Ibom State Command, has strengthened its rehabilitation and reintegration drive with the empowerment of several discharging inmates through the provision of vocational starter packs. The initiative, carried out under the Service’s Post-Release Empowerment Scheme, aims to support ex-offenders with practical tools that can help them establish small businesses and reintegrate successfully into society.
During the presentation ceremony held at the Command headquarters, the Controller of Corrections in the state, Frank Okonkwo, said the empowerment programme reflects the NCoS’s renewed commitment to transforming inmates into productive citizens. He explained that the intervention is in line with the mandate of the NCoS Act, 2019, which prioritises rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and long-term reintegration rather than mere incarceration.
According to Okonkwo, the beneficiaries had undergone structured vocational training in various trades—such as tailoring, hairdressing, and barbing—while in custody. The starter packs, he noted, were carefully selected to help them immediately put their acquired skills to use and earn legitimate income upon release.
He added that although five inmates were slated for empowerment under this phase, two had already completed their sentences and left the custodial centre earlier, while the remaining three are scheduled to regain their freedom between late 2025 and January 2026. The tools were presented in advance to ensure a seamless transition once they step back into their communities.
Okonkwo reaffirmed that the objective of the empowerment scheme is not only to deter recidivism but also to restore the dignity of former inmates by equipping them with the means to become self-reliant. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the resources provided, emphasising that genuine transformation is a shared effort between the individual, the Service, and the community.
He also highlighted the activities of the After-Care Unit, which monitors discharged inmates, guides them through the early stages of reintegration, and provides additional support where necessary. According to him, the NCoS is committed to ensuring that ex-offenders return to society as “skilled, responsible, and productive citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.”
While commending partners and stakeholders who support the empowerment initiative, the Controller called for more collaborations from individuals, faith-based organisations, and corporate bodies to strengthen rehabilitation programmes across custodial facilities.
The empowerment event reinforces ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Correctional Service to shift from punitive incarceration toward a rehabilitation-centred model that addresses the root causes of crime and promotes second chances for willing ex-offenders.
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