Falana's Wife Advises Govt On Prisons Reform
WIFE of human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN), Funmi, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the prisons serve as corrective centres and not a place for punishing offenders.
She spoke at the ninth graduation for 45 inmates of the Kirikiri Prisons organised by the Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
They were trained in soap making, paint making, tye and dye, among other vocational skills. Mrs Falana, a lawyer, who represented her husband as chairman, said since the bulk of those in prison were youths, it was imperative that the deviants should be rehabilitated so that they would become better citizens after serving their terms.
She decried the state of the prisons,saying they were too congested. She cited the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison meant for about 1,700 inmates, but which has about 3,800 on its roll. ‘’This is more than what the prison can cater for,’’ adding there would be a stress on its budget and facilities. ‘’We must decongest the prison. Let’s fast-track the judicial system, and allow the inmates some freedom, such as use of phones and conjugal relationship,’’ she added.
She said it 90 per cent of prison inmates were those awaiting trial with some mistakenly brought there. She urged that the Chief Judge to grant amnesty to those who had over stayed at the prisons. Mrs Falana praised NGOs for their roles in the prisons. “The NGOs are doing very well to improve the place,’’ she added. ‘’Those graduating were not by government’s effort but the NGO.’’The event, organised by PFN’s arm – Life Recovery Pre-release Empowerment Programme, was supported by the Covenant University (CU) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN).
Its Project Coordinator Pastor Nelson Sule-Bamigbola thanked them for their continued support, adding that more donors were welcomed to enable the programme to get to other prisons outside Lagos.
Beside the graduation, he said 50 inmates would matriculate at the ceremony.PFN’s Executive Director Benson Iwuagwu said the problem of congestion must stop, adding that the best way to know if country is doing is to check its prisons.He called for attudinal change towards ex-prisoners, saying it was wrong.He announced that PFN’s restorative justice centre would open next January.
She spoke at the ninth graduation for 45 inmates of the Kirikiri Prisons organised by the Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
They were trained in soap making, paint making, tye and dye, among other vocational skills. Mrs Falana, a lawyer, who represented her husband as chairman, said since the bulk of those in prison were youths, it was imperative that the deviants should be rehabilitated so that they would become better citizens after serving their terms.
She decried the state of the prisons,saying they were too congested. She cited the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison meant for about 1,700 inmates, but which has about 3,800 on its roll. ‘’This is more than what the prison can cater for,’’ adding there would be a stress on its budget and facilities. ‘’We must decongest the prison. Let’s fast-track the judicial system, and allow the inmates some freedom, such as use of phones and conjugal relationship,’’ she added.
She said it 90 per cent of prison inmates were those awaiting trial with some mistakenly brought there. She urged that the Chief Judge to grant amnesty to those who had over stayed at the prisons. Mrs Falana praised NGOs for their roles in the prisons. “The NGOs are doing very well to improve the place,’’ she added. ‘’Those graduating were not by government’s effort but the NGO.’’The event, organised by PFN’s arm – Life Recovery Pre-release Empowerment Programme, was supported by the Covenant University (CU) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN).
Its Project Coordinator Pastor Nelson Sule-Bamigbola thanked them for their continued support, adding that more donors were welcomed to enable the programme to get to other prisons outside Lagos.
Beside the graduation, he said 50 inmates would matriculate at the ceremony.PFN’s Executive Director Benson Iwuagwu said the problem of congestion must stop, adding that the best way to know if country is doing is to check its prisons.He called for attudinal change towards ex-prisoners, saying it was wrong.He announced that PFN’s restorative justice centre would open next January.
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