United States Embassy in Nigeria has donated Information Management System equipment to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS).
According to the statement posted on the official social media handle of the United States embassy on Wednesday 24th February 2021, the equipment were donated to the NCS by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office of the U.S. Embassy.
Acting Controller General of Nigeria Correctional Services, John Mmrabure, received the equipment presented by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard.
Noting that the equipment donation was the first step in this partnership, Ambassador Leonard stated, “We are proud to partner with the Nigeria Correctional Service to incorporate information technology into the management practices which will address prolonged pre-trial detention in pursuit of the Nigerian government’s efforts to apply and enforce the rule of law and respect for human rights. These are tenets of a strong democracy and I am proud that the United States stands as your partner.”
The equipment donated includes satellite broadband VSAT dishes, desktop computers, printers, internet routers, servers, and furniture.
A U.S. government grant worth $3.9 million dollars will follow to train NCS officials in the use of the CIMS modules. Better information management will provide inmates in pre-trial detention improved access to lawyers, who will now be able to track detainees’ location easily.
The embassy said the program will work closely with Law Clinics in Nigerian Universities to provide pro-bono service to inmates awaiting trial.
The support to the NCS, which began in 2017 with a pilot program at Kuje Prison, has evolved into the Correctional Information Management Systems (CIMS). This donation will equip CIMS in three locations in Nasarawa State, specifically Keffi New, Keffi Old, and Lafia Custodial Centers.
The new equipment will enable the NCS to capture inmates’ biographical data at correctional facilities, thereby facilitating legal assistance and family contact.