By Sandra Kenneth
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has called for a stronger partnership between the judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to ensure the seamless implementation of non-custodial measures across the state.
Justice Amadi made the call during a one-day training workshop for non-custodial officers of the NCS, organized by the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council (ACJMC) in collaboration with the NCS Rivers State Command.
The workshop was themed: “Strengthening the Effective Implementation of Non-Custodial Measures Through Enhanced Collaboration Between the Judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service: Role of Officers of the Non-Custodial Unit in Advancing Community Safety, Offenders’ Rehabilitation and Victims’ Participation.”
Speaking through his representative, Justice Chinwe Nsirim-Nwosu, the Chief Judge clarified that alternative sentencing is not meant to let lawbreakers off the hook, but to offer a structured framework that holds offenders accountable while prioritizing rehabilitation, reintegration, and public safety.
Corroborating this stance, the Controller-General of the NCS, Sylvester Nwakuche—represented by Richard Williams—noted that the capacity-building session would bolster officers’ professional competence, streamline sentence management, and ensure strict compliance with court orders. He emphasized that the success of non-custodial frameworks hinges on institutional cooperation, clear communication, and a unified commitment to justice reform.
Delivering a paper titled “Administration of Non-custodial Measures under the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJL) 2015 and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019: Challenges and the Way Forward,” the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State ACJMC, Chief Magistrate Ilanye Brown, highlighted the human-centered goals of the scheme.
Magistrate Brown argued that custodial sentences often fail to reform minor offenders, as exposure to hardened criminals within correctional facilities frequently breeds recidivism rather than remorse. She explained that non-custodial sentencing seeks to rebuild offenders and foster a more empathetic society, adding that the training would address legal overlaps and streamline institutional execution.
