Mental Health Care in Nigerian Prisons: A Practice-Based Critique of the Current Legal Framework

The current legislative framework for the provision of health care in the Nigerian correctional system is the Nigerian Correctional Service Act (2019). The alignment of this framework with international best practice in prison mental health care has not been examined to date. This document review critically appraises the act regarding its capacity to deliver sustainable prison mental health care by comparing its provisions and operating protocol with illustrative standards for prison mental health services. We identified important gaps in assessment during reception, treatment planning, and referral processes; medication management; 24-h healthcare provision; patient safety; environmental adequacy; workforce and collaborative arrangements; and the overall governance mechanisms for the delivery of mental healthcare in the corrections system. Despite its fledgling implementation, the current statute, with its protocol, requires relevant amendments to establish clearer provisions for mental health care delivery to those in prison.