The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Don N. Awunah, has called for effective collaboration among the various security agencies.
Awunah said this while paying a courtesy call on the Comptroller of Prisons of the Akwa Ibom State Command, Mrs. Pamela Nyong.
Speaking at the prisons headquarters complex in Uyo, the police commissioner expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
He described the prisons service as an integral part of the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.
This, Awunah said, had made effective collaboration with sister agencies imperative.
The police boss, while highlighting the vital role played by the service, acknowledged the fact that it had been saddled with the onerous task of managing those legally shut out of the society.
He further noted that the relationship between both agencies could aptly be described as that of Siamese twins as both were focussed on ridding the society of malefactors and delinquents.
He urged the comptroller to reawaken the former practice whereby prison service liaison officers were posted to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
Awunah stressed that such a move would go a long way in curbing crime as vital information would be shared for mutual interest.
While responding, the comptroller of prisons described the service as the third tier of the criminal justice system with the police and the judiciary as complementary components.
According to her, the internal security of the state was tied to the ability of the prisons to hold on to those confined in secure custody.
The comptroller further stated that the major challenge faced by the service was that of congestion of the prisons.
She called on all stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice to work as a team in order to tackle crime and criminality.
