Stakeholders involved in Delta State’s justice system are advocating for urgent funding from the state government to bolster the parole system.
According to The PUNCH, this appeal was highlighted during a recent workshop in Asaba, where participants stressed the critical need for resources to train parole officers, implement monitoring technologies, and provide support services for parolees.
In a communique signed by the Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Gad Peter, the stakeholders emphasized that an effective parole system would alleviate prison overcrowding, facilitate rehabilitation, and ultimately enhance public safety.
The call underscores the importance of proactive measures in reforming the justice system to better serve both inmates and the broader community.
“It provides a structured pathway for offenders to reintegrate into society while ensuring they are monitored and supported, reducing the likelihood of re-offending
“In light of the pressing need to reform our criminal justice system and enhance the effectiveness of offender rehabilitation, the parole system has been identified as a critical component.’’
“The CLEEN Foundation, as a leading organization working within the justice sector, with the support from MacArthur Foundation, convened a stakeholders meeting to discuss the need to depoliticize the parole process as well as standardize the criteria for selection of inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities in Delta State.
“The two-day Performance Appraisal Workshop on The Legal Framework on Parole and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria, held in Asaba, Delta State, delved into various aspects of parole, including its legislative underpinnings, procedural challenges, and the role of different stakeholders in its administration.”
Participants at the workshop highlighted that parole plays a crucial role in managing the population of custodial centers by allowing eligible inmates to serve part of their sentences under supervised release.
They emphasized the need for Delta State government to allocate funding towards establishing an operational parole system. The foundation urged the state government to enact legislation and policies defining the criteria and procedures for parole eligibility.
This ensures that parolees follow the terms of their release by making regular check-ins and coordinating with law enforcement.
The participants noted that the Delta State Parole Board, set up two years ago, has not been operational due to a lack of funding.
The Parole Board’s role is to evaluate and determine parole eligibility based on established criteria, including an inmate’s behavior, progress in rehabilitation, and risk assessment.
The communique also called on NGOs to provide housing, employment, counseling, and other support services to help reintegrate parolees into society.
Additionally, NGOs are urged to advocate for systemic reforms and raise public awareness about the positive impact of a well-functioning parole system.
