The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has lamented the deplorable condition of Nigeria’s prisons, insisting that such facilities must meet international standards.
He wondered why most prisons in the country were built in areas that had no room for expansion.
The bishop argued that if prisons were meant to reform inmates, both workers and inmates must live and work in a conducive environment.
He was speaking when he paid a pastoral visit to Amawbia prisons, where he administered the sacrament of confirmation on 13 inmates.
He commissioned two cells and a borehole, which he rehabilitated as a result of his visit to the prison last Christmas.
“I am doing the much I can. I rehabilitated two cells, sunk a borehole and offered food in order to make the visit worthwhile. But we need more people to come and assist,” he said.
The bishop advocated that prisons should be located where there would be room for expansion so that inmates would have space to play games and engage in other recreational activities.
Ezeokafor tasked those in charge of the nation’s justice system to ensure quick dispensation of justice so that the accused would either be released on time or jailed as appropriate.
“We call on judiciary to give justice by quickening trial of accused persons because there are some people who spend years in awaiting trial and justice delayed is justice denied.
“When justice is dispensed quickly, people who can still be reformed will come out and be reformed.”
While advising the prison inmates to determine to leave the prison better reformed, he added that they should also learn skills while in prison.
The bishop enjoined the well-to-do in the society to contribute to better prison conditions in the country.
Speaking, the Comptroller of Prisons in the state, Mr. Anthony Ubaike, thanked the bishop for his interest in improving the living condition of inmates of the prison and called for more pastoral visits.
Ubaike also asked for assistance for more rehabilitation works in the prison, saying, “The prison is a big beneficiary of the year of mercy declared by Pope Francis.”
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