The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in collaboration with Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), has presented starter packs to eight non-custodial offenders in the FCT.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening rehabilitation, reducing re-offending and supporting the beneficiaries’ reintegration into society.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCoS FCT Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Duza Adamu.
The FCT Controller of Corrections, Christopher Peter Jen, while presenting the trade tools to the beneficiaries, said the presentation completed the rehabilitation cycle for non-custodial offenders who had undergone vocational training.
Jen said the beneficiaries acquired vocational skills in welding and fabrication, tailoring, farming, hairdressing, carpentry and printing/graphic design.
He said the trade tools would enable them establish businesses and become economically self-reliant.
He recalled that the service had earlier presented starter packs to ex-offenders who had completed vocational training.
He urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and make proper use of the tools.
The FCT controller of corrections added that the initiative was in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which emphasised non-custodial measures as part of efforts to promote effective rehabilitation and reintegration.
Similarly, the Chairman of the FCT Parole Board and retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Abbazih Saddeeq, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment.
Saddeeq also pledged his commitment to ensuring smooth and timely approval processes for parolees.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Controller-General, Non-Custodial Service, ACG Ibrahim Idris, represented by CSC Godwin Lot, said the initiative reflected the commitment of the NCoS to rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment.
Idris said the starter packs were not merely material interventions, but an investment in the capacity of the offenders to become self-reliant, productive and responsible members of the society.
In the same vein, the President of PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh, urged the beneficiaries to maintain high standards in their work.
Agomoh said products made with the equipment should be of good quality and suitable for display at exhibitions and other platforms.
The representative of Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), Mr Joshua Dada, urged the beneficiaries to cooperate with the correctional process and maintain good conduct.
Dada assured them that more support would be provided to beneficiaries who demonstrated good conduct.