Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Three inmates at the Benin Correctional Centre are awaiting final approval from the Federal Government’s Parole Board in Abuja after successfully passing the screening exercise conducted by the Edo State Parole Board.
The Chairman of the Edo State Parole Board, retired Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Erauga, disclosed this during a one-day sensitisation workshop on non-custodial measures organised by Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service and with support from RoLAC.
Justice Edodo-Erauga disclosed that 31 inmates applied for parole, but only three met the eligibility requirements following a comprehensive assessment of their cases, conduct while in custody, rehabilitation progress, and compliance with the established parole guidelines.
She explained that many of the applications were rejected because the inmates were convicted outside the jurisdiction of the Edo State Parole Board, particularly in Delta State, while others did not satisfy the statutory conditions required for parole consideration.
According to her, the three successful applicants have been recommended to the Federal Government’s Parole Board, which will make the final decision on whether they should be granted parole.
The chairman emphasised the need for increased public awareness of non-custodial measures, urging civil society organisations and the media to support efforts aimed at educating citizens on parole, rehabilitation, and other alternatives to incarceration.
She explained that parole decisions are based on factors including the nature of the offence, the inmate’s conduct while in custody, the circumstances surrounding the crime and the likelihood of successful reintegration into society.
She added that inmates at the Oko Correctional Centre are also undergoing screening for possible parole.
The parole board chairman urged civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to intensify public enlightenment on the benefits of non-custodial measures.
She also appealed to them to help combat the stigma against former inmates who have completed their sentences and are being reintegrated into society.
Representing the Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, DCC Ogbue Paul Agiliga, said the initiative would help decongest correctional centres, promote rehabilitation and increase public awareness of non-custodial measures.
The controller appreciated PRAWA for their continuous Support to NCoS including RoLAC for promoting the implementation of Non-Custodial Measures (NCMs) in Edo State.
He said the initiative aims to enhance awareness and visibility of NCMs while supporting correctional officers.
Also speaking, the officer in charge of the Non-Custodial Unit, Igbenijie Akhigbe, identified inadequate manpower, poor logistics and insufficient funding as key challenges affecting the effective implementation of non-custodial measures.
For PRAWA President, Dr. Uju Agomoh, represented by Programme Assistant Abraham Naibo, said the workshop was designed to deepen awareness of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, promote non-custodial measures, support ongoing justice sector reforms and encourage the successful reintegration of offenders into society.
Earlier, PRAWA made a presentation of Reflective Jackets and frames for non-Custodial officers and offenders serving Community service to the State Controller Orhunmwonkpawan Igbinogun Julius Osemwegie.
The presentation was done on behalf of the President PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh who was ably represented by Abraham Naibo, Programme Assistant, PRAWA, Edo State
The reflective jackets and posters, were received by the representative of the State Controller DCC P.A Ogbure.
The event was graced by the DCC, non Custodial, CSC Igbenijie Akhigbe, the Edo State Parole Hon.Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Rtd).
Others at the event were the civil rights groups and the media.
