This comprehensive post will help you discover all you need to know about types of prisons in Nigeria.
Have you ever wondered about the importance of prisons in Nigeria today?
In Nigeria, different forms of crimes are committed on a daily basis ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, domestic violence, child abuse, murder, burglary, financial crimes, fraud, and lots more.
For every crime which is committed, especially when it involves fraud or murder, kidnapping and others, such person is being sent to prison.
It could be for life time or a stipulated period of time and they are therefore, being denied lots of things which they had access to, in the outside world.
There’re all kinds of bad places to go and hang out and do whatever but the prison? Oh no, nobody wants to be there, but when some people are retrying to do the right thing and stay out of trouble, they find it difficult.
Each prisoner being sentenced to prison remained in his cell or its adjoining yard, worked alone, and saw no one except the officers of the institution, and occasional visitors from outside.
With the population of Nigeria scaling through 200 million people, we need a lot of prisons, don’t we?
In this article we will be giving you information about types of Prisons in Nigeria, and every other information which you need to know.
You will enjoy reading this article, just keep reading.
Nigeria Prisons Overview
Prisons are known as a correctional facility, places where inmates are confined and denied access to the outside world or any form of freedom.
The Nigeria Prison Service brought about the origin of contemporary Prisons Service in Nigeria in 1861.
That was the year conceptually, Western-type jail was established in Nigeria. The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) is a government agency of Nigeria which operates prisons.
The agency is headquartered in Abuja – the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, and it is under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior and the Civil Defense Immigration and Prisons Board.
These prisons are built by the Federal government but managed by officers of the Nigerian prisons service.
Key Functions of the Nigeria Prison Service
Before listing the types of prisons in Nigeria, we need to consider the basic functions of prisons today.
- To isolate an offender from society, because he has proved to be a threat to its organization.
- To keep an offender in an isolated place where he could ponder over the consequences of his wrong deeds.
- To inflict some pain and suffering, on an offender (i.e., some punishment) for violating legal norms.
- Protecting community from criminals by marking out persons who violate laws and stigmatizing them so that others are warned against them.
- To change offender’s values, motivations, attitudes and perceptions and to re-socialize him and restore him to community
Problems of Nigerian Prisons
The following are problems of Nigerian prisons.
Overpopulation
This is the major problem or one of the deplorable conditions of Nigerian prisons is over population.
The cause of this is due to the retention of the wrong people. Crowding is often identified as the cause of inmate’s ill health and misconduct.
Most of the types of prisons in Nigeria are overcrowded and crowding can be measured objectively in several ways: in terms of floor space per prisoner, prisoners per living unit and many more.
Inadequate Healthcare Services
Although prisons are provided with healthcare facilities and personnel, these available facilities are inadequate in the treatment of very serious health conditions such as lungs, liver or kidney problems.
Due to the inadequacy of healthcare facilities and services, deaths are often recorded among inmates in prisons.
Incidence of Missing Case Files
There are prisoners whose case files have gone missing either accidentally or deliberately. There is no point denying the corruption level of our criminal.
Lack of Quality Foods
Foods served to inmates in prisons are very poor in quality, which is the only explanation for the undernourishment and deficiency diseases common among prisoners.
So, what are the types of prisons in Nigeria?
Also Read: The 5 biggest shoprites in Nigeria
Types of Prisons In Nigeria
Here are the different types of prisons in Nigeria Prison:
- Juveniles/Minor correctional facilities
- Female-only prisons
- Security prisons
- Psychiatric prisons
- Military prisons
Juvenile Prisons
In Nigeria, just like in other countries of the world, those offenders who are minors or still under the age of 18 years old are called juveniles.
The juveniles cannot go to the same jail as adult women and men, thus, they are supposed to be sent to a juvenile correctional facility located in their home city.
Among all the 75,000 prisoners, Nigeria accounts for less than 2 percent of young ones who are imprisoned.
Security Prisons
The main types of prisons in Nigeria are security prisons. They are divided into three sub-categories:
- Minimum security
- Medium security
- Maximum security
All minimum security prison types are meant for less serious crimes such as fraud, theft and various bad things that are not violent to the society.
Medium security types of prisons in Nigeria are meant for criminals, who need to be locked away from society because they are dangerous.
This can include armed groups, housing crimes, etc. The example of such prisons is Kuje Medium Prison, Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, etc.
Maximum security types of prisons in Nigeria, are created for the most dangerous people who have offended others, killed people, performed violent crimes and require complete isolation from everyone.
Some examples of such places are Gashua Maximum Prison, Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, etc.
Prisons for the Mentally Unfit People
These types of prisons in Nigeria, are for law-breakers who are not mentally fit among the society.
They are usually sent to security prisons where sometimes they can get mental healthcare and help that they need.
Military Prisons
The prison system in Nigeria has special military detention facilities for people who serve or have served in the Nigeria Army and committed military crimes, violated human rights.
An example of such prison is the Giwa Barracks Detention Facility that is located in Borno State (Maiduguri).
Female Prisons in Nigeria
The number of female prisoners are few in comparison to the male population. Female prisoners make up about 2% of the inmates population in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the crime rate among women culprits has been on the rise in recent times. There are only two prisons in Nigeria which are basically for female:
- Kirikiri Women’s Prison
The Kirikiri prison located in Lagos State, is known to be the biggest prison in Nigeria with a huge capacity containing female crime offenders .
You should know that people who are kept here will serve longer jail time like 5 years and above and some are already being sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Only females from the age of 18 years and above are allowed to be placed here.
- Numan Old Prison
This prison is built since there was an insurgency in Nigeria due to boko haram destroying lots of prisons in Nigeria. This prison is located in Adamawa, and it has a total capacity of 400 female inmates.
More List of Prisons in Nigeria and their Location
There are 240 prisons in Nigeria and one of the prisons is able to accommodate about 50,000 people, which is their official capacity, but still many are overcrowded.
Most of the prisoners are males which are about 74,000 and only about 2% are females which are about 1,500.
So, here are the list of prisons across all the 36 states of Nigeria.
Prisons In Abuja
- Federal Prison, Dukpa Farm center
- Federal Prison, Kuje
- Federal Prison, Suleja
Abia State Prisons
- Federal Prison, Aba
- Federal Prison, Arochukwu
- Federal Prison, Umuahia
Adamawa State
- Dumne Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Federal Prisions, Ganye
- Gombi Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Gulak Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Guyuk Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Hong Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Federal Prisons, Jada
- Federal Prisons, Jimeta
- Karlami Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Kojoli Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Maina Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Mayobelwa Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Michika Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Federal Prison, Mubi
- Federal Prison, Numan
- Shelleng Satellite Prison, Adamawa
- Federal Prison, Yola
Anambra
- Federal Prison, Aguata
- Federal Prison, Awka
- Federal Maximum Security Prison, Nnewi
- Federal Prison, Nnewi
- Federal Prison, Onitsha
Akwa Ibom
- Federal Prison, Abak
- Federal Prison, Eket
- Federal Prison, Ikot-Abasi
- Federal Prison, Ikot-Ekpene
- Federal Prison, Uyo
Bauchi
- Alkaleri Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Federal Prison, Azare
- Federal Prison, Bauchi
- Burra Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Darazo Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Gamawa Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Katagun Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Federal Prison, Misau
- Federal Maximum Security Prisons, Jama`are
- Federal Prison, Ningi
- Shira Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Tafawa Balewa Satellite Prison, Bauchi
- Tora Satellite Prison, Bauchi
Bayelsa
- Federal Prison, Okaka
Benue
- Federal Prison, Gboko
- Federal Maximum Security Prison, Makurdi
- Federal Prison, Otukpo
Borno
- Askira Satellite Prison, Borno
- Federal Prison, Bama
- Federal Prison, Biu
- Damasak Satellite Prison, Borno
- Gamboru-Ngala Satellite Prison, Borno
- Federal Prison, Gwoza
- Konduga Satellite Prison, Borno
- Kukawa Satellite Prison, Borno
- Kumshe Satellite Prison, Borno
- Kwayakusar Satellite Prison, Borno
- Maiduguri Farm Centre Prison
- Maximum Security Prison, Maiduguri
- Mongono Satellite Prison, Borno
- New Maiduguri Prison
- Shani Satellite Prison, Borno
Cross River
- Federal Prison, Adim Farm
- Federal Prison, Calabar
- Federal Prison, Ikom
- Federal Prison, Obubra
- Federal Prison, Obudu
- Federal Prison, Ogoja
Delta
- Federal Prison, Agbor
- Federal Prison, Kwale
- Federal Prison, Ogwuashi-Uku
- Federal Prison, Sapele
- Federal Prison, Warri
Ebonyi
- Federal Prison, Abakaliki
- Federal Prison, Afikpo
Enugu
- Federal Prison, Enugu
- Federal Prison, Ibite-Olo Farm
- Federal Prison, Nsukka
- Federal Prison, Oji River
Edo
- Federal Prison, Auchi
- New Benin Prison, Edo State
- Old Benin Prison, Edo State
- Federal Prison, Ogba Farm
- Federal Prison, Ozalla Farm
- Federal Prison, Ubiaja
Ekiti
- Federal Prison, Ado-Ekiti
Gombe
- Bajoga Satellite Prison, Gombe
- Billiri Satellite Prison, Gombe
- Cham Satellite Prison, Gombe
- Federal Prison, Gombe
- Federal Prison, Tula
Imo
Of all the 27 local government areas in Imo state, there are 3 prisons in the state.
- Federal Prison, Okigwe
- Federal Prison, Orreh Farm
- Federal Prison, Owerri
Jigawa
- Birnin Kudu Satellite Prison, Jigawa
- Federal Prison, Birnin Kudu Farm
- Dutse Satellite Prison, Jigawa
- Garki-Satellite Prison, Jigawa
- Federal Prison, Gumel
- Gwaram Satellite Prison, Jigawa
- Hadejia New Prison
- Jahum Satellite Prison, Jigawa
- Federal Prison, Kazaure
- Kiyawa Satelite Prison, Jigawa
- Ringim Satellite Prison, Jigawa
Kaduna
- Federal Prison, Birnin Gwari
- Federal Prison, Borstal
- Gwantu Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Ikara Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Kachia Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Federal Prison, Kaduna
- Federal Prison, Kafanchan
- Kakuri Prison Camp
- Federal Prison, Kujama Farm
- Kwoi Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Makarfi Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Manchok Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Saminaka Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Soba Satellite Prison, Kaduna
- Federal Prison, Zaria
Kano
- Bichi Satellite Prison, Kano
- Dawakin Tofa Satellite Prison, Kano
- Federal Prison, Goron Dutse
- Gwarzo New Satellite Prison, Kano
- Kano Central Prison, Kano
- Kiru Satellite Prison, Kano
- Rano Satellite Prison, Kano
- Sumaila Satellite Prison, Kano
- Tudun Wada Satellite Prison, Kano
- Federal Prison, Wudil
Katsina
- Old Daura Prison, Katsina
- Dutsinma Satellite Prison, Katsina
- Ingawa Satellite Prison, Katsina
- Jibia Satellite Prison, Katsina
- Kankia Satellite Prison, Katsina
- Federal Prison, Katsina
- Malumfashi Satellite Prison, Katsina
- Mani Satellite Prison, Katsina
- New Maximum Security Prison, Daura
- Maximum Security Prison, Funtua
- Musawa Satellite Prison, Katsina
Kebbi
- Federal Prison, Argungu
- Bagundu Satellite Prison, Kebbi
- Jega Satellite Prison, Kebbi
- Kamba Satellite Prison, Kebbi
- Kangiwa Satellite Prison, Kebbi
- New Kebbi Prison
- Old Kebbi Prison
- Wara Satellite Prison, Kebbi
- Federal Prison, Yelwa Yauri
- Federal Prison, Zuru
Kogi
- Federal Prison, Ankpa
- Federal Prison, Dekina
- Federal Prison, Idah
- Federal Prison, Kabba
- Federal Prison, Koton-Karfe
- Federal Prison, Okene
Kwara
- Federal Prison, Borstal
- Federal Prison, Ilorin
- Federal Prison, Mandala(New Ilorin)
- Federal Prison, Lafiagi
- Federal Maximum Security Prison, Omu-Aran
Lagos
Of all the 20 local government areas in Lagos, there are 5 prisons in the state.
- Federal Prison, Badagry
- Federal Prison, Ikoyi
- Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri
- Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri
- Kirikiri Women’s Prison – the only all-women’s prison in Nigeria
Nasarawa
- Federal Prison, Lafia
- Maximum Security Prison, Keffi
- Federal Prison, Nassarawa
- Federal Prison, Keffi (Old)
- Federal Prison, Wamba
Niger
- Federal Prison, Agaie
- Federal Prison, Bida
- Federal Prison, Kagara
- Federal Prison, Lapai
- Federal Prison, Minna
- Maximum Security Prison, Kotongora
- Maximum Security Prison, Minna
- Federal Prison, Bussa (New)
Ogun
- Federal Prison, Abeokuta
- Federal Prison, Ago-Iwoye FC
- Federal Prison, Borstal
- Federal Prison, Ijebu-Ode
- Federal Prison, Ilaro
- New Maximum Security Prison, Abeokuta
- Federal Prison, Shagamu
Ondo
- Federal Female Prison, Ondo State
- Maximum Security Prison, Akure
- Maximum Security Prison, Ondo
- Federal Prison, Okitipupa
- Federal Prison, Owo
Osun
- Federal Prison, Ile-Ife
- Federal Prison, Ilesa
Oyo
Of all the 33 local government areas in oyo state, there are 3 prisons in Oyo state.
- Federal Prison, Agodi
- Federal Prison, Ogbomoso Farm
- Federal Prison, Oyo
Plateau
- Federal Prison, Jos
- Lakushi Farm Prison
- Lamingo Prison Camp
- Federal Prison, Langtang
- Federal Prison, Pankshin
- Federal Prison, Shedam
- Federal Prison, Wase
Rivers
- Federal Prison, Ahoada
- Federal Prison, Degema
- Elele Farm Prison
- Federal Prison, Port-Harcourt
Sokoto
- Federal Prison, Farm Centre – Bissalam
- Gwadabawa Satellite Prison, Sokoto
- Federal Prison, Sokoto
- Tambuwal Satellite Prison, Sokoto
- Wurno Satellite Prison, Sokoto
Taraba
- Baissa Satellite Prison, Taraba
- Bali Satellite Prison, Taraba
- Gassol Satellite Prison, Taraba
- Federal Prison, Gembu
- Federal Prison, Jalingo
- Karin – Lamido Satellite Prison, Taraba
- Lau Satellite Prison, Taraba
- M/Biyu Satellite Prison, Taraba
- New Wukari Prison, Taraba
- Federal Prison, Serti
- Takum Satellite Prison, Taraba
- Zing Satellite Prison, Taraba
Yobe
- Damagun Satellite Prison, Yobe
- Damaturu Satellite Prison, Yobe
- Dapchi Satellite Prison, Yobe
- Fika Satellite Prison, Yobe
- Federal Prison, Gashua
- Geidam Satellite Prison, Yobe
- Maximum Security Prison, Potiskum
- Federal Prison, Nguru
Zamfara
- Gumi Satellite Prison, Zamfara
- Maximum Security Prison, Gusau
- Kaura Namoda Satellite Prison, Zamfara
- Maru Satellite Prison, Zamfara
- Talata Mafara Satellite Prison, Zamfara
Nigerian Prisons Service Ranks and Salary
Who do you think has the most power in prison?
Is it the warden? Is it the guards? Is it the guys who are about to get out next week or next month or even tomorrow? Do they have the most power?
Just like the Nigerian army ranks, peace corps ranks, navy ranks and police force ranks, prisons in Nigeria have officer ranks.
Below are the ranks:
The Controller-General of Prisons
This highest rank was formerly called Director of Prisons, until 1992 and it was renamed into the Controller-General of Prisons.
The rank’s main task is to make sure all the penal policies are currently formulated and correctly implemented into life in our country.
The Deputy Controller-General
This is the second highest rank of Nigerian Prisons Service. Shortly this position is called DCG, and there are currently 6 people who serve as DCG in the organization.
Each one is leading one of the six administrative divisions of NPS. This rank is responsible for the administration of prisons, their supplies, budget, logistics, various operations, etc.
The Assistant Controller-General of Prisons
The next in Nigerian Prison Service rank structure comes the Assistant Controller-General of Prisons. They are leading the so-called ‘zones.’ The whole organization consists of 8 zones
The Controller of Prisons
While NPS’s main office is located in Abuja, every territory is divided into (the 8 zones we talked about) has to control different states under it.
Each of such states is led by the next rank in the structure – the Controller of Prisons.
Prison Warden
Every prison in Nigeria has its Prison Warden. It is the superintendent of the correctional facility, and the official rank is known as Superintendent of Prisons.
It is understood from the rank’s title that each SP is in charge of the whole prison facility, supervises every operation within the facility, takes care of the security, takes care of the inmates and so on.
The rest of the Nigeria Prison service rank structure are:
Deputy Superintendent of Prisons
– Assistant Superintendent of Prisons I
– Assistant Superintendent of Prisons II
– Senior Inspector of Prisons
– Inspector of Prisons
– Assistant Inspector of Prisons
– Prisons Assistant I
– Prisons Assistant II
– Prisons Assistant III
The Nigeria Prison Service Salary Structure
The salary structure of every organization is one of the attractions that motivates and draw the interest of people to apply and be recruited.
Also learn more about Nigerian air force in Nigeria. I know after glancing through their ranks, you’ll be interested to know how much Nigerian Prisons Workers earn per month.
Nigerian Prisons Service Salary NPS workers are regarded as paramilitary employees, and hence are paid accordance to CONPASS which is a federal government initiative for payment of para-military workers in Nigeria, also the CONMESS which is a consolidated salary structure for medical officers and CONHESS for health workers is also applicable to NPS workers.
Ranks, Salary Structures is workers #800,000 – #1,000,000 annually (#50,000 monthly).
The highest salary among all is received by the Controller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service; the second highest goes to the Deputy Controller Generals and Assistant Generals.
Note: the salary grade level 07 is automatically moved to salary grade level 08, so this means that Nigerian Prisons Service officers salaries are growing.
I believe that there are many people out there that have been desiring to work in the Nigeria Police Force.
Method of Application
Now, that you are well informed on the Nigeria prisons service ranks. Many people are anxious to know more about the Nigeria prison service application form, as we all know that nothing good would come from a prison service made up of uneducated individual
Requirements:
- Applicants must be Nigerians by birth.
- Applicants must possess the requisite qualification and certificates. Any certificate or qualification not presented and accepted at the recruitment center shall not be accepted after the recruitment.
- Applicants must be fit and present certificates of medical fitness from Government recognized Hospitals.
- Applicants must be of good characters, and must not have been convicted of any criminal offences.
- Applicants must not be members of any Secret Society, Cults or Drug Addicts etc.
- Applicants must be between ages of 18 and 30 years
- Applicants heights must not be less than 1.65m for males and 1.60 for females.
- Applicants chest measurement must not be less than 0.87for men.
- Computer literacy will be of added advantage.
- Applications must be Online.
- Candidate are expected to log into the website www.prisons.gov.ng. Fill and submit the application form online at http://recruit.prisonsportal.com.ng/recruit.
- Candidates are advised to print out the Referee forms which must be duly completed for submission during screening.
- Candidates should NOTE that multiple applications will automatically be disqualified.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
- Applications should be submitted online within Six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.
- All applications are expected to be completed and submitted within six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.
Summary Notes on Types of Prisons in Nigeria
So, there you have it on the list and types of Prisons in Nigeria.
As a matter of fact, no family or home in Nigeria will be happy seeing their child go to prison or been annihilated for one crime or the other.
You should know that no matter what anyone tells you about prison, it’s not a good experience, as many have gotten lots of sickness through this and so many other things.
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