Dr. Michael Anugwua, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in Lagos State, has revealed that there is only one psychiatrist serving the entire Lagos Command, tasked with addressing the mental health needs of over 3,000 inmates across all correctional facilities.
He also noted that some inmates, once discharged, have returned to prison after committing new offenses.
Anugwua, who oversees the Kirikiri facility in Lagos, shared these insights during a program organized by the Citadel Global Community Church’s Prison Ministry on Saturday.
He emphasized the need for improved training and rehabilitation efforts within correctional centers to reduce recidivism, highlighting that 60 percent of the inmates have previous incarceration experiences. “I discharged someone last August in Onitsha, Anambra State, only to see him again at Kirikiri when I was transferred here in December. He reoffended, was arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced once more,” he explained.
However, he also shared success stories, such as that of an inmate named Ayo, who was released two months ago. Ayo has since used his tailoring skills to rent two rooms with savings from his time in the correctional center, and he now operates his own business. “That’s the kind of outcome we want for every inmate,” Anugwua said.
Discussing the theme “Community-Based Solutions to Combat Recidivism,” Anugwua highlighted the severe understaffing in correctional facilities. The Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre currently houses over 3,000 inmates, despite a capacity of just 2,034, and is managed by only 138 staff members.
“As of September 21, 2024, we have more than 3,000 inmates at the Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre, excluding 46 female inmates,” he noted.
Babafemi Famujide, head of the Prison Ministry at Citadel Global Community Church, praised the speakers at the event, stating, “I believe today has been a learning experience for many of us, providing a meaningful discussion that highlighted pressing issues and the need for solutions.”
He added, “We are at the mercy of the judiciary and the police. It’s not enough to just arrest, prosecute, convict, and sentence inmates; we need support beyond that.”
Inmates need active engagement to prevent mental health issues, Famujide argued. “It breaks my heart every morning to see thousands of capable men doing nothing, just clustered together discussing unproductive matters,” he said. Anugwua echoed this concern, revealing the inadequate mental health resources: “It may shock you to know that we have only one psychiatrist across all facilities in the Lagos Command addressing mental health cases. This is grossly insufficient given the daily challenges we face.”
He stressed the necessity of education and vocational training for inmates to help them reintegrate into society without reverting to crime. “We lack standard educational facilities, skills acquisition centers, and vocational training programs. However, we do have an Information Technology hub donated by Anchor Heritage,” he remarked.
“There are 397 inmates seeking secondary education, but we only have two classrooms, each accommodating 30 to 35 students,” he said. Anugwua also mentioned that around 90 inmates are pursuing primary education, while 125 are interested in university-level studies.
He called for increased private sector involvement in sponsoring vocational training, education, and extracurricular activities such as sports. “Corporate entities need to assist in funding educational initiatives, competitions, and training programs. We also require tools and qualified personnel to teach and train the inmates, helping them reconnect with society.”
While acknowledging support from churches and prison ministries, he emphasized the need for more assistance.
Benson Iwuagwu, Executive Director of the Prison Ministry, highlighted society’s role in creating criminals and the social stigma faced by ex-offenders. He called for collaborative efforts to help reintegrate them into society. “Recidivism is not a solo activity; it is a social responsibility. Section 43 of the 1999 Act promotes restorative justice, and we need an annual campaign to address this issue,” he stated.
Joke Aladesanme, founder of Halfway Home and Mobile Library, pointed out that no one is born a criminal. She explained that factors such as broken homes and peer pressure often contribute to criminal behavior. “Many incarcerated individuals are overwhelmed by fear, and if this fear is not addressed, it can lead to reoffending. We need pre-entry support for all inmates; they require a helping hand.”
She noted that statistics show the average Nigerian inmate spends five years in prison, and without support upon release, the likelihood of reoffending increases.
Bidemi Oladipupo, founder of Anchor Heritage, stressed that prison ministry should provide holistic support—spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational—beyond just food.