NAN-H-91
Project
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, July 26, 2017 (NAN) U.S. in partnership with the Federal Government on Wednesday launched Prison Data Management System Pilot Project at Kuje Prison to digitise and upload records.
A statement by the information Unit U.S. Embassy Abuja explained that the project was aimed at increasing access to justice for all by enhancing efficiency, and accountability in justice sector institutions
It stated that the project was launched by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in partnership with the Rule of Law Advisory Team of the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria.
It stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and the Nigeria Prison Service were also part of the launch.
“The project aims to increase government’s capacity to maintain a safe, humane and transparent penal system and increase access to justice for all by enhancing efficiency, and accountability in justice sector institutions,” it stated.
It quoted INL Director Rosalyn Wiese as saying “INL plans to support the prison service through the implementation of a pilot project.
“INL also plans to help address the high rate of pre-trial detention and severe prison overcrowding in one of Nigeria’s most important detention facilities,” she said.
Wiese said that the project had two components which would be providing support to the new pre-trial detention case management system database that would create an electronic record for each inmate.
She said that it would also help generate data to assist the Nigeria Prison Service and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee in tracking and managing cases in pre-trial status in the Kuje Prison.
According to her, the second component is the development of a legal clinic project within the prison.
“We plan to coordinate with the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the Ministry of Justice to provide legal aid services to all detainees awaiting trial at Kuje Prison
“This is to ensure efficient and competent review of their cases and scheduling of court hearings,” she said.
She said that the plan was to digitise and upload records to the new case management system making it easier to identify and work on cases in priority order.
She said that the plan was part of the U.S. government effort to assist the Nigerian government to meet international minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners.
She said that it was also aimed at decreasing overcrowding and lengthy pre-trial detention which if successful could be extended to other prisons in Nigeria. (NAN)
IAA/GY
======
Edited by Grace Yussuf