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The Nigerian Correctional Service(Ncos) has revealed a troubling mental health crisis within its custodial centers, saying that 8,246 inmates are currently suffering from mental illness.
This figure was made public during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, highlighted the reality of incarceration and its impact on mental health.
Essien explained that the prison system relies on an internal network of trained inmate-leaders who assist staff in identifying those showing signs of psychological distress.
She says that the scale of mental health issues far exceeds the available resources.
