Society Must Partner Government on the Integration of Prison Inmates-Stakeholders

Stakeholders in the criminal justice sector who converged in Lagos for the unveiling of a book, ‘Stars Behind Bars’, have called on Nigerians to partner with the Government to ensure that ex-inmates of Correctional Centres are properly integrated into society, after they have regained their freedom.

They further urged members of society to see this act as a means to cure society of the menace of crime and all criminal acts, as neglecting them will lead them to become big criminals and social outcasts.

Speaking at the event, the author of the book and Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Mrs Nsikan Blessings Gabriel, implored the Nigerian society to join hands with the Government and the Correctional Service, and be a part of the “Reformation, Rehabilitation and the Reintegration” of inmates back to a safe community. 

“I want you to know that, if you ignore inmates’ reintegration process, they will return to be your neighbours, friends, business partners, church members, clients, our children’s friends, and even spouses”, she said. 

The Correction Officer also urged the Judiciary to look into long adjournment of cases, while suggesting that minor cases should be settled out of court, and made a case for more adoption of Restorative Justice and for the justice system to embrace more non-custodial measures, to reduce prison congestion. 

Mrs Gabriel also made a case for married women serving various terms of imprisonment, in various Correctional Centres across the country. According to her: “There should be an intervention for married female inmates, in as such that their marriages will be saved by making the men realise that if the tables were turned, the women will wait for them. 

“Most of these women suffer from the fear of losing their homes, because everyone deserves a second chance”, she enthused.  

On the book ‘Stars Behind Bars’, she explained further that her motive for authoring it, is “to ensure that the inmates grab all the opportunities that are available and have been provided by the Nigerian Correctional Service Centres. 

“We have educational and skill acquisition programs, for those who are not too learned. I believe that if they have education or skills, it will go a long way to help them out of poverty.”

Speaking earlier, the Controller General of Corrections, (CGC), Haliru Nababa, represented by DCC Nkem, described the book as a laudable achievement by a staff of the Nigerian Correction Service.

He expressed confidence that the book will go a long way to help the staff and the public at large, to know what the Correctional Service is doing to curb crimes by reforming the inmates behind bars, so that when they come out, they are like stars shining in society.

A former inmate of Ikoyi Correction Centre, Udeme Udom, who reviewed the book, described it as a masterpiece and a must-read by all. Udom, who was in custody for five years during which he attended court 32 times and got no judgement before he was granted freedom, said he was captivated by the contents, and that he had to read the book twice. He stressed that it is a life changer for inmates. He said prison was not a bad place, but where offenders are kept for reformation.

Founder and Executive Director, of Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Dr Uju Agomoh, said there are a lot of challenges out there, and that what makes a person stand out, is to look at the challenges, break the barriers and surmount those challenges.

Dr Agomoh who was represented by Ifunanya Igbokwe, said Blessings Gabriel is one of the persons they depend on to deliver their projects in the prison. According to Igbokwe, “She came highly recommended and she delivered. We don’t joke with her in our organisation, because of the level of commitment she has put into her job. 

“She has taken the job as a mission, on what she has been called to do. She is a reliable person to work with and she stands out among others.”

Pastor Ariyo Popoola, Coordinator for Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) for the Prisons, also a former inmate of Ikoyi Correction Centre, said that he went back to affecting lives back in prison. He said he came across the author while on his job in prisons, and that her attitude is not just that of an officer, but that she has taken it as missionary work, and that she was doing the work, not just behind the bars.