How to make ex-convicts useful to society, by PFN boss

The Prison Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has said Nigerians should not see ex-convicts as useless to the society, but rather as those to be given a second chance

This was made known at the weekend during the graduation and matriculation ceremonies held for prisoners, who were taught on the skills and values of life after prison, in partnership with Covenant University, Nigerian Prisons Service, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

Executive Director of PFN, Benson Ngozi Iwuagwu, said: ‘’The event is about how stakeholders can address the issue of ex-prisoners’ rehabilitation and reintegration, in a way that addresses their empowerment in terms of skills, spiritual and emotional instructions that will ensure their stability in a turbulent society outside prison.

“We call it Life Recovery Pre-Release Empowerment programme also known as Onesimus project, covering the three component of man – spirit, soul and body. The prison fellowship conceptualised the programme and reached out to other organizations to handle the other aspects.”

The PFN admonished the Federal Government to copy the Chinese system where former convicts come out from prison as changed and empowered individuals with several skills that have impacted on their economy over the years.

“In the People’s Republic of China, when you go to prison for two years, you graduate with a vocational certificate and a mobilization fee, and you are sent to Africa to work. If we can use our local products and manpower, which include prisoners, we can have an advantage in the world economy.”