Better post-prison life is being advocated for inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Centres who show ample evidence of good behaviour and have been properly rehabilitated through skills training and are willing to return back to their communities as useful citizens.
An Initiative for effective support of inmates in their journey of rehabilitation/reintegration “Adopt-An-Inmate Program “ was launched by a non-govermental Organisation, Public Awareness on Rights and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Persons Initiative, PAR- RPV-INITIATIVE at its maiden anniversary celebrated in Collaboration with the Chaplaincy of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Suleja Correctional Center on 27th September, 2025.
The highlight of the event was special presentations on their “ Rehabilitation Experiences and Return to Community Plans” by 19 inmates of the custodial Center. Their presentations were assessed by judges drawn from justice sector experts , after which five inmates were selected as winners and adopted by PAR-RVP-INITIATIVE.
The winners were given cash gifts by the organization and were offered legal and other support services inclusive of counseling and aftercare services after their term in custody.
The over 100 inmates that witnessed the presentations were very excited and motivated to be their own voices and take their futures into their own hands by having a plan ahead of their release from custody.
The event also provided a platform for them to express their correctional experience and appreciation of behavioral treatment and acquisition of skills and knowledge for effective rehabilitation.
They expressed gratitude to the management, staff , volunteers and partners of PAR-RVP-INITIATIVE for their visit, gifts and support.
The Executive Director/ Founder PAR-RVP-INITIATIVE, Ogechi Ogu Esq. called on Nigerians to desist from stigmatizing ex-incarcerated persons especially after successfully completing their time at Correctional Centres and showing evidence of reformation and rehabilitation.
She emphasized that “rejection and stigmatization can only lead these persons back to life of crime but if the community supports them in their pursuit of honest means of livelihood and they are encouraged to put into practice what they learnt while in custody, they will settle in well and be useful to themselves and their communities and will no longer be a threat to the security and safety of the people”.
Mrs. Ogu expressed appreciation to the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Correctional Controller, and the staff of Suleja Custodial Centre for their assistance and coordination during the event.
She also appreciated partners, both individuals and organizations, for their contributions, wishing them God’s blessings and prosperity.
On the occasion, there were some goodwill messages, notable one among them came from Mr. Femi Ajayi, representative of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, UNODC, who advised the inmates to be committed while in custody.
He encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities to learn various skills like shoe making, tailoring, barbing, sewing, hair dressing, painting reading and writing, “you can also learn soft skills like communication, critical thinking,
and various other vocations that can help in your personal growth that will help you plan for a hopeful future outside of this center”
By providing a supportive and empowering environment, PAR-RVPI is helping to give inmates a second chance, enabling them to become productive members of society upon their release.
PAR-RPV-INITIATIVE has also in the recent past successfully implemented rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in four Custodial Centres in three state commands and a flagship workshop on prevention of drug abuse, addiction and insecurity.
