The Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) has cautioned against the stigmatization of ex-inmates, calling on Nigerians to rather show such persons love for them to quickly re-integrate into the society.
Chairman, PFN Oyo state chapter, Prophet Sule Festus said this call became expedient owing to the observations that several ex-inmates as a result of stigmatisation were keen to again commit crime and be thrown back to prison because they are rejected by society.
Describing stigmatization as a second prison term after inmates had served out their term, he bemoaned that even families do not provide the accommodating environment to rehabilitate their children/wards who were ex-offenders.
Speaking at a press conference held at Methodist Cathedral, Agodi, Ibadan, Sule warned that the society will continue to suffer the consequences of stigmatization of ex-offenders in increased crime.
He also bemoaned that the nation’s correctional centres were not conducive enough to truly correct inmates such that several come out of prison custody with the mindset of vengeance.
Furthermore, Sule noted that children of inmates were also vulnerable to take to crime, just as he decried instances where minors are also incarcerated.
To minimize stigmatization of ex-offenders, Sule said the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria focused on promoting economic rehabilitation and social reintegration by providing knowledge, skills for inmates to ensure they are empowered to be gainfully employed after serving out their prison term.
The chaplain added that the PFN is driven by the need to open inmates’ eye of understanding to see crime differently, be ready to meet their victims and ask for forgiveness and reconciliation instead of bitterness and vengeance.
As part of its own efforts, Sule said the fellowship in collaboration with the officials of the correctional centre, Oyo state command, secured a centre at Agodi custodial centre for NECO examinations, with three sets of inmates passing with encouraging results.
He added that efforts were on to relate with the Open University in a bid to enrol eligible inmates as students.
Sule however decried constraints of limited financial resources, praying for more well-meaning individuals and organisations to support the cause of rehabilitating inmates, especially after serving out their prison term.
That the fellowship was also keen on sourcing for children of inmates that are of vulnerable age, 4-18 years, at-risk teenagers, across the nation
Also speaking at the event, Executive Director/Founder, Hope for Second Chance Foundation, Ibukunoluwa Otesile charged families of inmates to provide the needed support system and rehabilitation.
Rather than ostracize ex-inmates for their crimes, Otesile asked that society give such persons a second chance and help them to lead a good life.
Other speakers to include Reverend Kayode Oluyombo and Pastor Daniel Farinde emphasized the need for legislation that objects to stigmatization by society, supports ex-inmates to attain public offices and engenders them to live out their dreams in life.
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