ASSISTANT CONTROLLER OF CORRECTION, NIGERIA CORRECTIONAL SERVICE, GOMBE STATE CORRECTIONAL CENTER. ACC. JIMBA A. RAYMOND

THE PORTRAIT OF AN ACHIEVER

Jimba A. Raymond is a perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity and the heart of warrior. Since he assumed office on January, 2024 as the Assistant Controller of Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Gombe State Correctional Centre. The Medium Security Custodial Centre has witnessed tremendous positive changes.

The Officer In charge is someone who appreciates his purpose in life and still understands the components of that purpose. He is one man who has stood out among the few who had more than a fleeting nation of his sojourn on earth. He is a rare breed who viewed life solely from the perspective of his God, and knew that life’s purpose can only be fulfilled when self-will is surrounded to Almighty God. A very supportive, encouraging and inspiring fellow who always sets his mind on whatever he does passionately and quietly. He is a loving, kind-hearted man and this shows in his dealings with all that come across him, including his fellows.

One peculiarity of His Eminence, ACC Jimba A. Raymond is that he operates with synergy in his relationship with not only his Correctional Officers but also people who comes around him. , ACC Jimba A. Raymond’s sterling leadership is a perfect blend of western modernism. He is happily married and has lovely children .

He is a peacemaker; in fact, he is a modern Icon by extension, and also a philosopher. He is the custodian of Inmates in Medium Security Custodial Centre Gombe State .More significantly he ensures peace, harmony, unity and stability in the prison yard and as well in Nigeria Correctional Service. He is one that has carved a niche for himself, easily the most vibrant that has been unquestionable in most of his actions and the directives he proclaims. It has also been clearly demonstrated in the positive reforms that he has carried out.

It has also found expression in the peace, unity and harmony that exist among Officers in the Nigeria Correctional Service presently. folklore, acknowledge and applaud heroes, so for us, it is a beginning of a new dawn. “The ideals of uncommon patriotism, unassailable piety, sterling leadership qualities which you epitomize, are worthy traits which will continue to inspire us in our national transformation efforts.

Hear him:

Can you tell us more about yourself and a bit of your life before this position you are in today?

I was born on 5th July, 1975 at Otukpo, Benue State. I had my Primary Education at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Otukpo and proceeded to had my Secondary education at Otukpo Community Secondary school, Otukpo and graduated in the year 1988. After my Secondary Education, I joined the Service and at the same time was pursing my Degree Programme. I eventually had my Degree and Master Degree from Usman Danfodio Univerity, Sokoto. I am also an Associate Member of the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies of Nigeria. Similarly, an Associate Member of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (CPAN).

Growing up, did you see yourself one day being in the service, how has the service journey been?

When I joined the service, I had the opportunity to either join Immigration or Prison (as it where). While growing up, I have passion for growth and development in humanity. That was why after my Master Degree Programme, I still went back to school and did Post Graduate Diploma in Education. The Journey so far has not been easy especially balancing work and school activities at that time.

Can you share any success stories or notable accomplishments of this correctional center?

I assumed office in January, 2024 and what caught my attention was a dilapidated structure in most inmates’ cells and the Administrative Blocks. After going through the available records, I discovered that my predecessors have been writing and reporting about the structures. I immediately put a reminder (with pictorial evidences) through the office of my Controller to the Controller General of Correction, Abuja. Upon receipt of my letter through the Controller of Correction Gombe State, my Active Controller General of Correction, HALIRU NABABA, FICMC, MFR, MNI immediately swung in to action. He awarded the contract for the renovation of the both the cells and administrative blocks. That is what you are seeing today.

What are some of the rehabilitation programs available to inmates, and how effective have they been?

There are so many rehabilitation programme available to the inmate. On admission or reception, we have professionals that interview the inmates so as to conduct the needs and risk assessment of the inmates. After which we categorize them according to their risk and needs, we try to identify the inmates with a skills or without. We have industrial section with so many workshop like Carpentry, Tailoring, Shoe making, Cap Making etc and we find out what they are interested in doing, we then deploy them for training by our trained instructors. We admit the rejected ones by the society, train them and re-integrate them back to the society as a new man.

Are there any additional services for those who don’t have the interest of being an entrepreneur, maybe like the formal education sector?

In Medium Security Custodial Centre Gombe here, the co-ordinator of Nigerian Open University Visited us sometimes last year with the view of opening a centre. The constraint we had was space. Meanwhile, we have adult literacy class going on the centre organize by Federal Ministry of Education.

How does the center ensure safety and welfare of the inmates?

According to Nelson Mandela ‘It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones’. Our Core Value is to ensure that, inmate are kept in a humane and secured environment and that is what we do. The welfare section allows the inmate to communicate with their families and lawyers on request.

Are there any support systems available for inmates after release, to prevent reoffending?

Yes, we have After Care Section in our Custodian Centre. Their functions among others are, when an inmate has completed training in any of the Workshop, on discharge, the inmate will be awarded Trade Test Certificate in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. After which the Aftercare section will rent a shop, buy tools for the ex-convict. His activities will be monitored for some months, then, eventually be handed over the full ownership of the business. This section is funded by the Controller General of Correction/Minister of Interior.

What are the current challenges facing Gombe state correctional center?

The challenges are not peculiar to Gombe. As at today, the Government still feeds the inmates at the rate of N750 per person. Through they are working to review the rate because of the present economic realities of the country. Then the second challenges we have here is congestion of the inmates. 80% of the current population of the inmates are Awaiting Trials. On our part, we liaise with the judiciary for speedy dispensation of justice that will help in decongestion of the yard.

Are there any plans for expansion, renovation, or modernization of the correctional center in terms of technology?

The Federal Government through the effort of the Controller General of Corrections has approved the construction of 3000 capacity centre here in Gombe. So, the work is going seriously as we speak now.

Inview of the present government administration, what would you have say about them?Is there anything you would want the government to do now if you had the opportunity of speaking to Mr President?

If I have such opportunity, I will inform Mr. President that the problem of Nigerian Correctional Service is not peculiar to only the inmates. The staff have their problems too that need to be address. A hungry man is an angry man. I will tell him that Nigeria Correctional Service is like a goal keeper of all other security organization whose mandate is to ensure that, the feared are kept in custody for safety of others. We sleep and wake up with them, chart and discuss with them. Our salaries suppose to be at par with the Police and other security organization. The low welfare makes the moral of the staff to plunge. Secondly, Nigerian Correctional Service just like other security organization should be remove from PENCOM. What is paid to retires now is peanuts. Then fund should be made available for payment of allowances ie transfers, etc. on the side of the inmates, government is trying.

What can you say about the relationship between you and your officers?

Our Relationship is very cordial, we work together like broom-we don’t have problem and that is why we have different sectional heads to advise the incharge. 

what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for impacting positive things to the rejected, neglected by both family and the society. Whoever that is to take over from me should never deviate from Nigerian Correctional Service core value.

Whatare your top 3 life Mantras?

Diligence, prudence and God fearing as whatever we do today will hurt us tomorrow.