Nigerian corrections frees 25 inmates, tasks public against stigmatization of ex-convicts

“I spent 4 years for a crime I did not commit,” says ex-inmate Twenty-five inmates in custodial facilities across various commands in the country have been set free by the Nigerian Correctional service after the completion of their time in incarceration. Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, said that those released consist of inmates that have fully served their term and are ready to be reintegrated into society to contribute their quota haven been trained and couched in various vocational skills so they could earn a living. Speaking at the annual release and presentation of aftercare starter kits, yesterday in Abuja, Nababa noted that the act of setting free ex-offenders is in fulfilment of one of the core mandates of reforming offenders and reintegrating them back into society not only as responsible citizens but also as productive citizens adequately empowered. The CG explained that the release and presentation of aftercare trade tools to the ex-convict will be replicated across the federation. “The essence of this scheme is to retool ex-offenders thereby encouraging them to be productive and self-sustaining. This remains the best way to keep them away from crime and criminality, making our community and the country at large safe as well as a better place for us. Like the Nigerian Correctional service has always done, the trade tools will cover sundry vocations ranging from barbing, carpentry, welding and fabrication, hairdressing, fashion design and masonry,” he said. While speaking on the need for society to accept ex-offenders without stigmatizing them, Nababa urges the public to desist from stigmatization and support their progress by patronizing them in their various trades. “May I remind you all the ex-offenders if not treated with special care and support, are likely to return to their old ways hence, rekindling their criminal world and endangering society, therefore the onus lies on us to break the cycle of criminality by helping ex-offenders to fully embrace life” he warns. He also appeal