FG Launches Corrections Information Management System Manual

The Federal Government on Thursday launched the Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) Training Manual and Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said that the two publications are designed to enhance data management with regards to inmates’ registration, legal representation and processing in line with the present administration’s adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and duty of care for victims through a system approach.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in January 2019 inaugurated the Prisons Information Management System (PIMS) as it was then called while a Remand Indicator which is a major component of CIMS was also launched in January 2019.

Aregbesola added that the indicator was for the reporting of the length of trial and activities of all the Actors in the Administration of Criminal Justice, as it relates to inmates’ trial.

The Minister said “I wish to specifically state that the present Administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, President @MBuhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is truly aware of the fact that the world today is driven by technology. Hence, the Administration is putting modalities in motion for the digitization of government transactions.

“The development of CIMS Training Manual and the integration of Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module are not only apt but in tandem with Government’s desire to make information and activities on the Federal Public Service readily available through information technology.

“CIMS Training Manual will provide a practical guide to personnel on the process of inputting data manually into the System while the Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module will automate the process of recording data on inmates’ legal representation and increase monthly reporting capabilities thereby enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other related Agencies in implementing the critical elements and provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

“The overall objective of the CIMS is to serve as a backbone for the country’s National Criminal Database especially when fully integrated into the Database of other Security agencies for proper synergy.”

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR, OGBENI RAUF ADESOJI AREGBESOLA AT THE LAUNCH OF CORRECTIONS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TRAINING MANUAL AND WELFARE/LEGAL AID AND STATISTICS MODULE ON 10TH NOVEMEBR, 2020 AT AB DAMBAZAU CONFERENCE CENTRE, AIRPORT ROAD, ABUJA.

PROTOCOL

I am delighted to be here today on the occasion of the launch of the Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) Training Manual and the presentation of Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module. The two (2) publications are essentially designed to enhance data management with regards to inmates’ registration, legal representation and processing in line with the present Administration’s adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and duty of care for victims through a system approach.

It may be recalled that in January, 2018, His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and (SAN) launched the Prisons Information Management System (PIMS) as it was then called. Similarly, a Remand Indicator which is a major component of CIMS was also launched in January 2019. The Indicator was for the reporting of the length of trial and activities of all the Actors in the Administration of Criminal Justice, as it relates to inmates’ trial.

I wish to specifically state that the present Administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is truly aware of the fact that the world today is driven by technology. Hence, the Administration is putting modalities in motion for the digitization of government transactions. The development of CIMS Training Manual and the integration of Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module are not only apt but in tandem with Government’s desire to make information and activities on the Federal Public Service readily available through information technology.

It is therefore Government’s expectation that CIMS Training Manual will provide a practical guide to personnel on the process of inputting data manually into the System while the Welfare/Legal Aid and Statistics Module will automate the process of recording data on inmates’ legal representation and increase monthly reporting capabilities thereby enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other related Agencies in implementing the critical elements and provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Essentially, the overall objective of the CIMS is to serve as a backbone for the country’s National Criminal Database especially when fully integrated into the Database of other Security agencies for proper synergy.

At this juncture, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to sincerely appreciate His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for approving the needed support for the initial take-up of this laudable project. Equally, I wish to extend my gratitude to the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI) Nigeria and other critical Development Partners for their continuous support Government.

Finally, I thank you all for your kind attention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria