NYSC announces deployment of corps members to prisons

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to commence deployment corps doctors and other professionals to correctional facilities (prisons) in the country.

A statement signed by Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Public Relations Unit on Thursday, said the move is in pursuant to the directive by President Bola Tinubu, announced by the Minister of Interior , Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the recent commissioning of operational vehicles and guard booths in Abuja.

“The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to deploy Doctors and other professionals to Nigerian Correctional Service facilities to carry out their mandatory youth service. This formed part of the conversation as the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni paid a working visit to the Director General, NYSC Brigadier General YD Ahmed at the National Youth Service Corps Headquarters, Abuja.

“In a landmark engagement, the Ag. CGC appreciated the Director General for the warm reception and provided an insightful overview of the NCoS reformatory programs, briefing him that majority of the inmates in the NCoS facilities are youths. He then emphasized the need to partner the NYSC to bridge some gaps through the deployment of Corps Doctors and Nurses to provide Medicare and lawyers to render pro bono and paralegal services to enhance speedy dispensation of justice. He also noted that the youth are the backbone of a nation and should be redirected from the path of criminality to productivity,” the statement said.

On his part, NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed commended the Acting CGC for his visionary leadership and reaffirmed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.

He highlighted the immense value of the NCoS, stating that the Nigerian Correctional Service is truly worth its name as it provides inmates with a pathway to a new lease of life.

He assured the Ag. CGC of his commitment to supporting the NCoS in the realization of its mandate by granting express approval to the requests, adding that from next batch, Corps Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists and Lawyers shall be posted to carry out their mandatory youth service in custodial centre as one key role of the NYSC is provision of social services to the vulnerable and underserved in the society.