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90% of Nigerian Prison Inmates should be released - PeacePro

Back Interior Ministry's correctional reforms

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has called for the release of up to 90 percent of inmates in Nigerian correctional centres through lawful and evidence based criminal justice reforms, saying recent disclosures by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, have reinforced the organisation's long-standing advocacy for comprehensive prison decongestion.

PeacePro recalled that in 2021, when the Federal Government proposed releasing 30 percent of prison inmates to address congestion, the organisation publicly urged the government to increase the figure to 70 percent, arguing that the majority of inmates were awaiting trial or incarcerated for offences that did not justify prolonged imprisonment.

According to the Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the Minister's recent disclosure that 93 percent of inmates are state offenders while only 7 percent are federal offenders provides compelling evidence that Nigeria's correctional crisis is primarily a challenge for the criminal justice system rather than one of prison capacity.

Hamzat also commended the Minister for ordering an audit of inmates detained over minor fines and compensation judgments shortly after assuming office.

The exercise identified more than 4,000 inmates whose continued detention cost the government far more than the value of their fines, leading to an immediate five percent reduction in the prison population.

He described the reform as a practical demonstration that many inmates should never have been incarcerated in the first place.

"The Minister has courageously asked the most important question, are our correctional centres rightfully overcrowded? His own findings that a significant proportion of inmates are imprisoned for offences that do not warrant incarceration validate PeacePro's position that Nigeria must fundamentally rethink its approach to criminal justice," Hamzat said.

PeacePro also welcomed the Minister's disclosure that recidivism has fallen significantly following expanded access to education and vocational training within correctional facilities, describing the development as proof that rehabilitation is more effective than excessive incarceration.

Hamzat clarified that its recommendation does not seek the indiscriminate release of dangerous criminals. Instead, it advocates a comprehensive review of inmates awaiting trial, persons detained for minor and non-violent offences, those unable to perfect bail because of poverty, and offenders eligible for non custodial measures such as community service, probation, restorative justice, and fines.

Hamzat called on state governors, chief judges, attorneys general, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other criminal justice institutions to work together on a nationwide review of custodial cases to ensure that imprisonment is reserved for offenders who genuinely pose a threat to public safety.

He further expressed PeacePro's readiness to partner with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant institutions in developing sustainable prison decongestion policies that strengthen justice, rehabilitation, and public safety.

PeacePro commended Dr. Tunji-Ojo for what it described as bold, evidence based leadership in the correctional sector, urging all levels of government to build on the ongoing reforms.

"The future of Nigeria's correctional system lies not in building more prisons but in building a smarter, fairer, and more effective justice system. A nation is judged not by how many people it imprisons, but by how fairly it administers justice," Hamzat said.

https://newsbreaknaija.com/why-90-per-cent-of-nigerian-prison-inmates-should-be-released-peacepro/

The FG should look into this issue

Parachoko:
The FG should look into this issue

That's really very important

90% indeed....with the rate of yahoo, drugs, bandits, and ritualists eating into the very fabric of the nation?

Some were arrested while standing on the mandate with Obasa

We like quoting unverified statistics as a percentage die for Nigeria 😅

The Judiciary should be made to stand on their feet and do what the judiciary is meant for, not being pet dogs in political cases.

All pending cases should be correctly tried. Those convicted of their crimes should be made to serve their time. Those sentenced to d_ea_th should be sent to their maker post haste and all innocent kept unfairly should be released and the state made to pay compensation.

Released into the society without any back up plan from the FG is dangerous...

Stupid people,the solution is to build more courts and prison. Awaiting trial don't mean you are innocent. Clowns releasing them into society will breed more crimes. All these sentimental passive idiots.

So that Nigeria can be more plunge into more insecurities.

He must be taking advice from a madman like Peter Obi.

I still remembered the consequences of a jail break a while ago

This man must come from apcshit! You want criminals to chase the already troubled good thinking Nigerians..

dederocs:
Stupid people,the solution is to build more courts and prison. Awaiting trial don't mean you are innocent. Clowns releasing them into society will breed more crimes. All these sentimental passive idiots.

Don’t be surprised this same body will cry blue murder should the government follow its own recommendation.

Get more judges, courts and prison.

If the court process is fast enough, we shouldn't be talking about prison congestion, also, why keeping alive those on death row?

experts:
90% of Nigerian Prison Inmates should be released - PeacePro

Back Interior Ministry's correctional reforms



https://newsbreaknaija.com/why-90-per-cent-of-nigerian-prison-inmates-should-be-released-peacepro/

they should be freed to your house

I totally agree
The real criminals are in government offices and states houses wearing agbada

Imagine releasing dangerous prisoners like Clifford Orji, Nnamdi Kanu, etc. into the society

dederocs:
Stupid people,the solution is to build more courts and prison. Awaiting trial don't mean you are innocent. Clowns releasing them into society will breed more crimes. All these sentimental passive idiots.

Awaiting trial means you're innocent
You're innocent until pronounced guilty by a competent court

DAREDEVIL ROBBERS, kidnappers, ritualists,,TERRORISTS abi ? To go back and continue their EVIL ?

LordIsaac:
90% indeed....with the rate of yahoo, drugs, bandits, and ritualists eating into the very fabric of the nation?

The irony is majority of these people you mentioned are not the one in prison, because they are elite criminals.

It's the house helps, drivers, sales boys/girls that oga wants to punish that are there in the prisons.

dederocs:
Stupid people,the solution is to build more courts and prison. Awaiting trial don't mean you are innocent. Clowns releasing them into society will breed more crimes. All these sentimental passive idiots.

Good point.

Plus, the existing courts are too slow in administrating justice.

Another big issue is welfare of inmates.

I heard it's he'll in there. Serious I human treatment. People die of malnutrition and unhygienic environment.

dederocs:
Stupid people,the solution is to build more courts and prison. Awaiting trial don't mean you are innocent. Clowns releasing them into society will breed more crimes. All these sentimental passive idiots.

I beg to differ sir, what stalls the trial and decision process, like why does it takes so long some cases are not so complex.
Release them ! Or sentence them ! It could either be one of the two.

Introduction of other punishments is fine

Mtchew......they should release kidnappers. Bandits and armed robbers?

experts:
90% of Nigerian Prison Inmates should be released - PeacePro

Back Interior Ministry's correctional reforms



https://newsbreaknaija.com/why-90-per-cent-of-nigerian-prison-inmates-should-be-released-peacepro/

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

Lagos is guilty of this. Any minor issue could have you remanded in prison and the bail process isn't made easy at all. They use you to generate revenue for the state via the tax your sureties have to pay while they dump you in the federal correctional facility for the federal govt to handle. Let's not also forget that after your sureties are verified and are made to pay tax, they can still be rejected making you go through the hassle again and keep paying taxes until a surety is eventually accepted.

Please,if you release them, take the all to Lagos o.

If the rule of law is followed to the letter in Nigeria, a lot more people will be in jail sef.

Nigeria has a lot of 'Please I am sorry, forgive him, to er is human, he is my person, tribe etc' out-of-court settlements for cases that ordinarily must serve jail terms.

This is long overdue, honestly, majority of the inmate are being locked up, for offences that is not even up to what the current politicians habe done..

Many become criminal in jail, after minor offences took them there

I think they should be released because it is not justice since thieving politicians still roam freely.

Absolutely! The government should really focus on releasing these prisoners. It’s a simple solution, really. And the courts need to be streamlined, of course. It's all about making sure justice is served, right?

90%? Careful what you wish for.