The Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) has marked its 37th anniversary with an assessment of the nation’s correctional system, describing the overwhelming population of awaiting-trial inmates as “scandalous statistics” that reflect a fundamental problem in the nation’s character.
The executive director of PFN, Dr Jacob Tsado, made the declaration during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting and Family Weekend in Abuja which brought together volunteers from across the country under the theme; ‘Your Kingdom Come.’
While reflecting on the NGO’s nearly four-decade-long advocacy, Tsado acknowledged the persistent challenge of overcrowding which is primarily driven by awaiting-trial inmates constituting about 70 percent of the custodial population.
“This is a scandalous statistics that our correctional centres are brimming with awaiting trial inmates. And to be honest, it is also a hard cry that we have engaging with the relevant authorities,” he stated.
He, however, emphasised that the fellowship was moving beyond mere advocacy to proffer practical solutions.
“We do not believe in just shouting without solution. That is why we started the restorative justice program, so that these centres can be established to provide avenues for effective and easier resolution of simple cases, instead of just lumping everybody in the correctional centres,” he said.
Tsado while highlighting the organisation’s impact, pointed to significant successes in 2023.
“Our impact has been massive, I would say. Because this year alone, we have set up restorative justice steering committees in eight states of Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that these committees comprise judges, attorneys general, and security officials to develop implementation strategies.
The executive director also cited the success of the ‘Onesimus Pre-Release Empowerment Program,’ which equips soon-to-be-released inmates with skills and starter packs, leading to a very low recidivism rate among its participants.
“Somebody said the way we treat our most vulnerable people shows the character of the nation. And if our justice system is so sluggish, so crude, that people just get lumped up in the system and become worse, then fundamentally there is a problem,” he said.
The chairman of PFN’s Abuja chapter, Adegbaye Olalekan Emmanuel, while calling for a compassionate approach, appealed for more public involvement in the work.
“My address to Nigeria as a whole is that we need more people for this compassionate service. We are appealing to everyone, even including you journalists, if you can join us. What we do is to go there not to condemn them, but to let them know that they can have a second chance,” he said.
The PFN leadership praised the cooperation they receive, saying, “To the government and the other stakeholders. I would have to say they are doing an excellent job.”
The meeting served as a platform to re-energise volunteers and strategise on further solutions to present to the government, reaffirming their commitment to a more just and restorative system for all.
