Prison Decongestion: NGO Hails Reps, Demands Alternative Sentencing Options

A non-governmental organisation, Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF) has commended the House of Representatives for its moves to decongest and overhaul the 244 correctional centers across Nigeria.
Executive director of the foundation, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, in a statement yesterday described the move by the lawmakers as a step in the right direction which she said is also consistent with the Foundation’s “unrelenting campaigns and advocacy for prison decongestion through reforms including adoption of non-custodial and alternative sentencing option, especially on minor cases.”

Olisa-Metuh commended the legislators for “heeding the advocacies and campaigns by organisation like LGCF” adding that such confirms that the lawmakers are listening and committed partners in the efforts towards enhanced administration of criminal justice as well as wellbeing of inmates in Nigerian prisons.
“Our Foundation notes the fact that the leadership and members of the House unanimously endorsed the motion sponsored by Chairman House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, who has relentlessly partnered with our organization in conveying the support of the House of Representatives in all our advocacies and campaigns.

“We are pleased that the House of Representatives is taking these proactive steps towards addressing the issue of prison congestion and our Foundation is highly encouraged by the recommendations put forward during the session. We urge the House of Representatives to take further steps to ensure the implementation of its recommendations by relevant government agencies.

“Further to that, our Foundation emphasizes on the need for increased funding in legal aid programs to ensure that all accused have access to quality legal representation. We also recommend the implementation of alternative sentencing options as well as effective documentation and monitoring so as to reduce the number of non-violent offenders in correctional centers”, the Executive Director said.

The Foundation also called for accelerated implementation of policies that enhance parole and probation systems as well as restorative justice practices that focus on rehabilitation and community healing.

“We earnestly urge the government to prioritize investment in comprehensive rehabilitation and reentry programs. The absence of adequate resources in this area not only hampers the successful reintegration of individuals into society upon release from prison but also significantly increases the risk of recidivism”, it stated.

Olisa-Metuh assured of the continued partnership between her foundation and relevant government agencies including the National Assembly for achievement of the desired reforms in criminal justice administration and prison welfare in Nigeria.

She emphasised the unrelenting commitment of the Foundation in its mandate which include provision of Pro-bono legal services to pre-trial detainees, initiating reforms in the criminal justice system, provision of scholarship, education materials, skill acquisition and sporting programes, food and essential commodities for inmates, advocating and fostering equal access to quality education for disadvantaged children, fight against sexual abuse and exploitation among the downtrodden among other interventions.