How prisoners’ rehabilitation could prevent backsliding

Experts believe that better rehabilitation of inmates of the correctional centres in the country will prevent them from backsliding into crime and change them into contributors to the development of society.

The reports of former inmates who returned more hardened than before their incarceration have lately been replaced with accounts of inmates who turned a new leaf and are doing well with their newfound skills.

Daily Trust, on January 20, published the accounts of former inmates of correctional services who have turned to a new leaf.

It reported that a number of the ex-inmates, who were without any skill and education at the time of their incarceration, are now out of their confinement better skilled and reformed and contributing positively to the development of society.

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Some of the ex-inmates spoken to described their prison experiences as a blessing in disguise, saying that while in prison they were able to achieve what they couldn’t have been able to actualise as free individuals.

Some of the ex-inmates such as Zakariya Mohammed Dankade, who makes shoes; Abdullahi Ibrahim, who went into carpentry, and Chinedu Eze, who bagged an MSc, wrote seven books and 157 songs after 14 years in incarceration.

Prison reform experts want the government to do more to make the transition smoother for the majority of inmates and build a better society.

The executive director, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE-Nigeria), which advocates criminal justice reform and prisoners’ reform, rehabilitation and reintegration, Sylvester Uhaa, called on the federal and state governments to always prepare inmates and their communities prior to the release of inmates to mitigate recidivism, reoffending and crime.

Uhaa argued that although the Nigerian Correctional Service prepares some inmates through skill acquisition and educational programmes, more still needs to be done to ensure a smoother transition of returning citizens, including those who have benefited from the programmes, but especially those who did not participate in any reformation and rehabilitation programme before their release.

According to Uhaa, this has become imperative due to the increasing rate of crimes such as armed robbery, one chance, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, etc across the country, as well as the high rate of recidivism and reoffending.

“When inmates and communities are not adequately prepared prior to the release of returning citizens, their reintegration becomes difficult and even impossible for many, even when they are trained in skills and education and supported with tools to establish business. This explains why some of them quickly sell off their tools and return to crime.

“The successful reintegration of returning citizens requires more than having skills and educational qualifications; it entails reconciliation with communities and victims, involvement of the community in their release and reintegration process, and continued support to help them navigate the daily challenges they face in returning to society after many years of incarceration,” he said.

Speaking further, Uhaa commended the efforts of the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Correctional Services, and state governments for the release of inmates to cut down the prison population, expressed concern about the lack of adequate preparation ahead of the releases to prevent reoffending and recidivism, which is contributing to the rising rates of crime in Nigeria.

He advised that adequate preparation of inmates, their families and communities must precede every future release of inmates by the judiciary, federal and state governments as a strategy to fight crime, reduce poverty and build safer communities.

Also reacting, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch, Obioma Ezewobodo said there must be concerted efforts by government and stakeholders to reform the correctional centres.

“A lot still needs to be desired as our correctional facilities still make inmates more hardened than when they first entered. The focus should be on rehabilitation of inmates rather than punishing them. This way they will be better citizens and easily integrated into society when they finish their terms,” he said.

In his reaction, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq said that rehabilitation and reintegration are two objectives of the correctional service under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which is being hampered by the financial incapacity of the correctional service.

“In my humble view, inmates can still be out and be good and there have been such cases as of this day. They can as well while in custody still proceed with their educational and skills acquisition to better the society after their release from custody.

“Also, there should be good record keeping of all awaiting trials in our courts.

“Those inmates who cannot afford the service of a lawyer should have their cases directed to the Legal Aid Council for necessary, immediate legal representation.

“So, there is no reason for an awaiting trial inmate to languish in prison with no hope of securing justice and his release.

Jimoh also noted the need for inmates and their spouses to be allowed to consumate their unions should be taken care of by the amendment of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.

“Furthermore, a number of inmates to my knowledge are not offered the stipend provided for under the present Act to reconcile them with their family members. In fact, a number of them do not have money to even return home. I had on one occasion, offered money to one of my clients to enable him to reconcile with his family.

“On another occasion, I had had to purchase a meal for my client discharged and acquitted by the court of law. So, all the above should be considered for an effective and efficient administration of the justice system in Nigeria,” he said.