The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, has urged the general public to admit ex-offenders as changed people in society.
The NCoS boss made this known during the International Conference on Prisoners Justice in commemoration of International Prisoners Justice Day on Thursday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prisoners’ Justice Day is a solidarity movement that takes place annually on Aug. 10, and the theme for this year is “Enhancing Global Response for Prisoners Justice.”
The movement began in Canada in 1974 in support of prisoners’ rights and to remember all the people who have died of unnatural deaths while being incarcerated.
Represented by the Deputy Controller General in charge of Finance and Account Department, Mr Abdullahi Magaji, he said that stigmatisation of ex-offenders is indeed a challenge to modern corrections, as it is counter-productive and has a way of pushing them back to the way of crime.
“I appeal to all stakeholders, and indeed the public, to open their arms to ex-offenders who have experienced total behavioural change as a result of the reformatory tools they subjected themselves to while in custody,” he said
In a related development, the service has boss stated that a total of 54,171 inmates out of the 79,076 inmates in correctional centres nationwide as at July 31, are awaiting-trial persons.
This represents 69 per cent of inmates-awaiting trial in the country, which pose a serious setback for the service.
“As at July 31, no fewer than 54,171 inmates, representing 69 per cent of the 79,076 inmates are awaiting-trial persons, while 24,905 inmates, representing 31 per cent are convicts.
“This remains the most daunting setback confronting the NCoS. One can only imagine the enormity of having to consistently produce inmates in court when required.
“This is coupled with the complications of managing such high number of pre-trial detainees amidst overcrowding,’’ he said.
He maintained that safe and humane custody in custodial centres is the high point of justice delivery for persons in custody and for the society at large, adding that “justice is foundational to the sustenance and growth of any human society. It emphasises the rights and dignity of all persons, including those behind bars.”
