Plateau Prison enrolls 205 inmates in formal, non-formal education

Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Plateau state command, said yesterday that 205 inmates in the state were enrolled in formal and non-formal education in the 2017 academic session.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Luka Ayedoo, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos.
“We have achieved a remarkable increase in the enrolment of inmates in the formal and non-formal education from 52 to 205 in 2017.
“Twenty-two of our inmates participated in the 2017 Literacy Examination conducted by the Plateau State Directorate of Adult and Non-Formal Education Board.
“Again, 24 of our prisoners sat for the 2017 Basic Certificate Examination, organised by the Plateau State Education Resource Centre. It qualified the inmates to move into the Senior Secondary classes.
“Also, the command registered 21 inmates for the ongoing NECO external examination.
“So, all these programmes are geared towards the reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners with the aim of securing a safer society for all,’’ Luka said.
The PRO further said that 67 inmates were trained on rice production at its Lakushi farm centre while 15 were trained on poultry farming at the Lamingo farm project.
Luka said also that 56 inmates were undergoing training on beads making, hair dressing and wood works, among others.
He explained that the command was planning to establish a study centre of the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN) in Jos Prison, to enable the inmates to enroll for degree programmes.
He commended the Plateau Government, NGOs, religious bodies, and some citizens of the state, for supporting the command to adequately reform and equip the inmates with formal and non-formal education.
The PRO gave the assurance that the command would remain committed to investing in public safety through a secured prison system and rehabilitation of the inmates.