...Ask Benefiting Inmates To See It As Second Chance
....Called on Nigerians To Shun Stigmatization of Beneficiaties
Khadijat Oluwatoyin Yusuf
Abuja
In a bid to decongest Custodial Centres and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place, the Federal Government as flag off the release of a total of 4,068 inmates who are serving different terms of imprisonment in lieu of fines and/or compensation in Kuke Correctional Center Abuja, Most of which benefitting inmates at the verge of their freedom are indigents who cannot afford to pay their fines, and are languishing in custody.
The minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo disclosed the sum of Five Hundred and Eighty-five Million Naira only (N585,000,000.00) was raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose.
He informed that all inmates in Custodial Centres who have fines and/or compensation not exceeding One Million Naira only (N1,000,000.00) are qualified, and would benefit from this gesture.
The Minister said "In addition, we are also providing each of them a stipend to enable them return to their communities.
"Suffice it to mention at this point that we are not just releasing them to their fates; we have given them requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge for their self-reliance upon discharge. The training also covers their civic duties and responsibilities as citizens, and strategies of refraining from re-offending."
"There's about 80,808 inmates in 253 custodial facilities nationwide, which total installed capacity for the 253 Custodial Centres adds up to less than 50,000. This shows that our Custodial facilities are over-crowded; necessitating this initiative we are flagging off today, which is targeted towards addressing the overcrowding conundrum bedevilling our Custodial Centres and their reformatory function.
"In line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mantra of Renewed Hope, the benefitting inmates have been given a second opportunity to get back to track and contribute to the ongoing development of our dear nation. It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its custodial facilities. It is based on this premise that this administration is poised to transform custodial and non-custodial facilities to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and good correctional practices." The minister added.
While appreciating all stakeholders involved in the success of the initiative, the minister called on on the larger community to receive these returning citizens with open arms. As well as refrain from stigmatizing against them as it can drive them back to offending the law, which will further endanger the society.
He told the benefitting inmates to see this opportunity as a second chance to make things right again.
"You are therefore advised to stay off crime and criminality, and all join hands with our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to make Nigeria a great nation. Abide by the instructions and training you have received while in custody, and be a good ambassador in your communities. He concluded.
On his part, the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa in his address said the Nigerian Correctional Service is presently undergoing transformation as the Federal Government have since set mechanisms to mitigate the problems of overcrowding in Custodial Centres.
He said, "The signing into law of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 is an elixir that has controlled this ugly phenomenon which used to be our major challenge. The introduction of non-custodial sanctions such as parole, probation, community service, restorative justice, suspended sentence and so on, has diverted some of the offenders who would have been in custody. Through these measures, custodial facilities are freed of the numbers. There are other efforts which we are applying in decongesting our facilities such as encouraging regular jail delivery, pushing for clemency for offenders who qualify for it, and capacity building in terms of expansion of our facilities."
The CG also noted that, "We also recognise that the business of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offender requires a multi-dimensional approach if it must be effective. Hence, we are open to synergy with good willing individuals, groups and bodies to promote the safe and humane custody of the legally interned. This noble initiative by the Honourable Minister will go a long way in decongesting and improving the general condition of our Custodial Centres nationwide."
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