Governor Obi pledges support for prisons

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has assured that the State government would provide all necessary assistance that would improve conditions of prisons in the State.

The Governor, who stated this during a pastoral visit by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor to Awka Prisons, promised to provide vehicles to the prisons to enhance transportation of inmates to court.

Obi enjoined the prison Management to engage the inmates in agricultural activities to encourage them to be productive.

The Governor regretted that some politicians and privileged individuals were exploiting the condition of the unemployed by exposing the youth to crime, urging parents to discourage their children from being used as thugs.

In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor called on government to accelerate the reform of the Nigerian Prison System, stressing that the present level of inadequate facilities in Nigerian Prisons were unacceptable.

He lamented that over ninety percent of the inmates were still awaiting trial and stressed on the need for necessary measures to be put in place to facilitate quick dispensation of justice and protect the fundamental rights of individuals.

The Bishop explained that the visit was to give the inmates a sense of belonging and to help reform them for proper integration into the society when they regain their freedom.

He observed that some criminals were groomed and nurtured by politicians who use them to promote violence to achieve selfish interest.

He urged prison workers to see their work as a vocation that should be carried out with dedication and commitment.

Bishop Ezeokafor confirmed 50 inmates and donated a bus to them.

In a remark, the State Comptroller of prisons, Mr. Patrick Ondoma who expressed gratitude to the Governor for his numerous contributions to prisons in the State, said, Governor Obi had elevated the State to a very reasonable height.

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