Tackling Nigeria's Recidivism Crisis: A Path to Prison Reform and Reduced Reoffenses
The Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) reports that more than 60% of Nigerian prisoners reoffend due to a failing justice system. The PFN's own programs have a recidivism rate of less than 10%, and the organization is advocating for a nationwide adoption of restorative justice to reduce repeat offenses and address the high number of inmates awaiting trial. The article also highlights the need for systemic reform and increased public awareness.
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According to a report by the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), over 60% of individuals released from Nigerian correctional facilities reoffend and return to prison. The organization's Executive Director, Dr. Jacob Tsado, attributes this high rate of recidivism to a failing justice and correctional system.
In contrast, the PFN's own restorative justice and rehabilitation programs have achieved a recidivism rate of less than 10% in the states where they operate. Tsado suggests that implementing similar programs nationwide could significantly decrease repeat offenses and help alleviate severe overcrowding in prisons. The article also points out that a staggering 60% to 70% of inmates are awaiting trial, a situation described by Tsado as a significant injustice.
The PFN's Deputy Vice-Chairman, Yinka Oyewole, also weighed in, criticizing the current system for denying inmates the right to vote. The organization is working with state governments to promote restorative justice as a more effective and economical alternative that also provides victims with a sense of closure. The article concludes with a call for the public, religious bodies, and civil society groups to raise awareness about the neglect within Nigeria's prison system and to advocate for necessary reforms.
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