News Investigators/ Five female alumni of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Suleja, have appealed to members of the public to support rehabilitated ex-inmates with patronage, employment and other opportunities.
The female ex-inmates made the appeal during an appreciation visit to the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, to acknowledge his support and humane treatment during and after their stay in custody.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Duza Adamu.
The delegation led by Hajiya Mariam Suleiman, comprised women who had recently received Trade Test Certificates from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ex-inmates are currently engaged in the production of shoes, bags and other leather works, demonstrating the impact of rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration programmes.
Suleiman while expressing gratitude to the controller and staff of the command said that the treatment and support, they received while in custody had enabled them to become self-reliant and productive citizens.
She said their visit was to demonstrate the popular saying that “A prisoner today can be your neighbour tomorrow”, adding that, it was also to show that reformation was possible.
“I want to appeal to the public, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support rehabilitated persons through patronage, employment opportunities and encouragement”, she said.
She also urged the society to desist from stigmatising or discriminating against ex-inmates, stressing that support was essential to enable them sustain their businesses and remain productive and crime-free.
In his response, Jen commended the women for their transformation and maintaining good conduct after their release.
He encouraged them to remain good ambassadors of the NCoS and to see themselves as women capable of driving positive change in the society.
Jen reiterated that the mandate of the NCoS, under the Correctional Service Act, 2019, goes beyond custody to include reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
He said ex-offenders, particularly women who had acquired vocational skills, should be regarded as assets capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
The controller urged the women not to allow discrimination to discourage them from pursuing legitimate means of livelihood.
According to him, the visit underscores the importance of aftercare support and vocational training in facilitating the successful reintegration of female ex-inmates into society.
NAN
