The Ogun State House of Assembly has underscored the need for a reform and enactment of new laws in the country to ensure that the prisons remain a reformatory centres rather than being punitive.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Isola Adekunbi who made the call while receiving members of the Justice Development and Peace Movement (JPDM) during a courtesy visit, asserted that doing so would help in surmounting the various challenges confronting the prison system.
He submitted that the use of community service in some cases rather than jail term could be equally reformatory, noting that activities of the group would go a long way in deepening democratic values and ensure effective justice system.
Describing governance as a collective responsibility that must be supported by all, the Speaker commended JPDM for championing the cause of justice and charged it to spread its scope beyond the State.
He called for an immediate national discourse on the need to promote community service as an alternative punishment to prisons, promising to expedite action when the bill on same is presented to the House.
In their various contributions, Honourables Adeyinka Mafe, Olakunle Oluomo, John Obafemi, Victor Fasanya and Olusola Sonuga sought for a social security system in the nation’s polity to allow Nigerians feel a sense of belonging, urging JPDM to present a bill on community service as an alternative means to prison term to the Assembly.
The lawmakers highlighted the need to reform the prison system and make it reformatory, while counseling the group to make wide consultations with relevant stakeholders across the nation to ensure total acceptance.
Speaking earlier, leader of the group, Mr. Gbenga Gbesan stated that there was a need to save the nation from producing hardened criminals in the name of punishment, stressing that those found guilty of minor offences could be made to render community service.
He said the effect of prison often led to break in family ties, prostitution and other crimes hence, the need for democratization of justice administration to promote safety and security as it was being done in advanced countries.
Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release