“A lot has been done but there is need to do more”

These words echoed in the room as various criminal justice sector stakeholders gathered on 20^th March 2014 at De Ritz Hotel, Ikeja G.R.A, Lagos State-Nigeria to review PRAWA’s achievements and critically analyze the development of the Nigerian Criminal Justice system in the past two decades.

The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) was established on 16^th December 1994 with the aim of achieving specifically what it name entails. However, over the years, recognizing the root causes of the challenges faced in ensuring the effective rehabilitation of incarcerated persons, the organization developed into an entity whose objectives revolved around promoting institutional reforms in formal and informal sector for Access to justice, rehabilitation, and social development of prisoners, ex-prisoners, torture victim and youth at risk.

The year 2014 marks two decades of PRAWA’s efforts in pushing the boundary of criminal justice reform in Africa through collaboration with other sector stakeholders.  At first, the organization’s administrative headquarters was located in Lagos State, but in 2006 it was moved to Enugu State. Hence, it was only fitting that the celebration of its 20^th anniversary officially kicked off in Lagos with a Media Chief Executive and Stakeholders’ Roundtable.

The Roundtable commenced with the Nigerian National Anthem and opening prayers after which Mr. Olayinka Lawal, the Deputy Executive Director of PRAWA introduced the PRAWA Board of Directors and participants. He welcomed everyone present and explained that in order to mark its 20^th anniversary; the organization has scheduled various events, one of which was the Stakeholders conference/roundtable.

Upon conclusion, he invited the Chairman of the PRAWA Board of Directors, H.E. Sir Gabriel Toby, to deliver his Welcome Address. Sir Gabriel Toby once again welcomed the participants and added that the aim of the Media Chief Executive / Stakeholders’ Roundtable was to flag off the PRAWA 20^th Anniversary Celebration as well as provide an opportunity for reflection on the work of PRAWA over the years. The Roundtable was also expected to provide the necessary environment for the review of the current challenges in the justice and security sector, the implication of such challenges to Nigeria’s development as well as the identification of priorities for future engagement.

The vision statement of PRAWA speaks of the desire for the emergence of “a humane and secure society that corrects and empowers to prevent crime, violence and torture”. Influenced by this, he underscored that fact that the task of promoting and ensuring the development of a secure and humane society can only be effectively achieved through multi-agency involvement, partnership and support aimed at facilitating crime prevention.

He emphasized that when crime, violence or torture is committed it has implications on the victims, their family members, the community and the offender or perpetrator. There is need for people to be concerned about crime and violence prevention, the treatment of incarcerated persons, the rate of recidivism and how best to work with prisoners, ex-prisoners and their significant others to promote their effective reintegration in the community. These pressing issues further highlight the importance of criminal justice and security sector agencies and processes as well as the need to support them to ensure accessible justice, fair and human treatment in compliance with international human rights standards. In light of this, he expressed his delight that representatives from these agencies were present to help participants articulate better how best to engage this very crucial work.

He lamented the state of Nigerian youths, the ever present issues of unemployment, high prevalence of drug abuse, level of violence and lack of life planning skills. Furthermore, he addressed the critical role of the media in mobilizing the general public towards supporting the process of comprehensive and sustainable reform in the society. In his opinion, no society can develop if the outlined issues are not addressed, nor will the future be guaranteed if the tomorrow leaders – the youths- are not encouraged to take none criminal and non-violent path.  In conclusion, he thanked everyone present and added that the celebration of the work of PRAWA in the past 20 years is a celebration for all, especially the stakeholders for whose work and support he was grateful.

At the end of Sir Gabriel Toby’s Welcome Address, the Executive Director of PRAWA- Dr. Uju Agomoh- discussed the topic: 20 Years of Promoting Reforms in the Prison, Justice and Development Sector: The PRAWA story.

She began her presentation by acknowledging that it was indeed a great joy and significance to be asked to reflect on 20 years of PRAWA’s existence. After expressing her gratitude to everyone present, she said that the organization’s work in the past 20 years in this sector underline certain areas in need of discussion. She questioned the achievements within the sector especially when awaiting trials inmates account for over 70% (and in some cases over 80%) of the total inmate population in Nigeria. She added that the youths who are supposed to be the future of the nation, account for about 50-90% of prison inmates in Nigeria. With about 2/3 of ex-prisoners re-offending, the highlighted issues are further worsened by the existing high level of recidivism which places a question mark on the efficiency of society’s way of processing offenders. She also bemoaned the prevalence of torture and violence but added that even in the midst of all these there are still reasons for stakeholders within the criminal justice sector to celebrate. Reminiscing, she stated that formerly, little or no free hand was given to NGOs within the prison sector but now many government agencies are even extending invitation to NGOs as partners in the process of development.

While discussing PRAWA’s growth over the years, she stated that to date, the organization has visited over 150 prisons and intervened in over 39 countries. PRAWA has moved from having only two staff members to the present staff strength of over 30. She provided an overview of PRAWA’s projects including the Prison Intervention in Africa (PRIA) which is being implemented in six African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo). She added that the organization has a strong interface with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights with a designated desk at the office of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Places of Detention- a feat yet to be achieved by any NGO.

She explained that although PRAWA started by focusing on prisons, over the years it saw the need to expand its intervention to the Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, Police, among others. This was influenced by the highly dependent relationship existing between the various organs of the criminal justice sector. So far the organization has produced four documentaries, a 13-episode drama documentary on torture prevention, and interventions for over 30,000 prison officers in the PRIA countries, Ghana and Sierra Leone.  She added that a Case Management System has been piloted in two states in Nigeria (Enugu and Abuja) and currently it is being developed in Abuja for Ministry of Justice, Police, Judiciary, FCT High Court, Suleja prison, Gwagwalada prisons, among others- the very first of its kind.

The actions of officers within the Nigerian Prisons Service are governed by the Prisons Standing Order which until last year, many officers didn’t have copies. However, in 2013, PRAWA printed at least 20,000 copies of the revised Standing Orders and made it available to all senior prison officers. Also for the first time, the organization developed the prisoners’ handbook in major Nigerian languages to ensure that every inmate is aware of his or her rights. Furthermore, in Kenya, Zambia and Burundi, PRAWA developed a draft rehabilitation policy for their prisons services.

Even though a lot has been done, she still believes that more still has to be done and the organization still seeks to do more through its three program areas: Social Development and Rehabilitation, Research and Documentation and Security and Justice. As the first organization to introduce Alternatives to Violence Programmes in West Africa, the organization has also gone ahead to engage Nigerian youths on the issue, as well as issues of illegal Migration and drug abuse with over 3,850 people reached on its drug abuse campaign in prisons located in Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers State.

While citing the Centenary celebration of the Sierra Leonean Prisons Service as an example, she explained that there is need for the society to consider issues relating to the efficiency of prisons as important security issues. Concluding, she emphasized that when the society addresses such issues, it is indeed promoting development.

Dr. Agomoh’s speech was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Strengthening Justice, Security and Development Work’ anchored by two members of the PRAWA Board of Directors-Dr. Fidelis Nde Che and Prof. Chiso Okafor. Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che presented a private sector perspective on the issue. He expressed his opinion that development functions should not be regarded as a task meant only for the government because there is no such thing as government in isolation. Government is an entity made up of the people. Since businesses and investments can only grow and succeed in safe environments, one cannot deny the fact that such safety can only be achieved through effective collaboration between the private and public sectors aimed at strengthening security and justice in the society.

Prof. Okafor approached the subject as both an educator and a business person. She highly emphasized on the quality of education and information the younger generation are exposed to. Using research findings, she buttressed the point that every individual’s action is highly influenced by what he or she is taught. For her, violence and certain vices are celebrated within the Nigerian society, and the average Nigerian youth automatically has the belief that his or her value as a person is dependent on their financial status. This belief system does nothing more but encourage ‘get rich quick’ schemes among young people while undermining the importance of hardwork. Upon conclusion, she added that in order for these issues to be adequately addressed, there is need to look at belief systems in the society that provide fertile grounds for the development of certain vices and misconceptions. Every individual was also asked to carry out self examination on ways in which he or she has encouraged violence in the society. One can never underestimate the importance of addressing unemployment, inadequate quality of education at every level especially when considered in the light of their long term ramifications.

In the course of the panel discussion, participants were given the opportunity to make inputs. Contributions made include the fact that there has been a dysfunction of the society with the condoning of violence. Although there has always been crime in the Nigerian society, the current rate at which it is perpetrated has become highly disturbing. It was argued that Faith Based Organizations and traditional societies were not doing enough in terms of condemning the illegal actions by politicians; hence, the need for re-orientation of the society through community-based awareness. Representing the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mrs. Ngoba Utomi- Director at the Directorate of Citizens Rights explained that the private sector still has a lot to do in the area of reducing unemployment by investing in cottage industries especially in agriculture, using soft loans from the governments.

The second panel discussion focused on identifying priorities for future engagement and partnerships among PRAWA stakeholders. Contributing stakeholders include: the Nigerian Prison Service, The Ministry of Justice, The Media and Youths. Representing the Controller of Prisons-Lagos State Command, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Alimi expressed his concern that truly there has been an erosion of our societal values especially when one considers the high number of young people in Nigerian prisons. That notwithstanding, he expressed their appreciation to PRAWA for its work within the criminal justice system in the past two decades.

Representing the Officer In charge of Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Aluu Ogbonanya Aluu presented a paper outlining areas of collaboration for future intervention between PRAWA and several authorities for further development of the penal sector. His proposal was divided into three component areas: Interventions to be provided before conviction, after sentencing and upon release from incarceration. He added that the proposal was prepared by the prison inmates and implored the management of PRAWA to make sure that the proposal is acted upon by the relevant authorities.

On behalf of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Utomi thanked PRAWA for its twenty years of service and added that while discussing the issue of serving humanity, all hands must be on deck. She added that Lagos State has undergone several reforms in the criminal justice sector including the criminal code law, establishment of government agencies like the Office of the Public Defender, Citizen Mediation Centre, among others. Furthermore, she stated that the Chief Justice of Lagos State is highly passionate about prison decongestion; however, there is a serious gap in rehabilitation and training for both inmates and ex-prisoners. As a result of this, she suggested that the Faith Based Organizations should be invited to provide pro-Bono services where necessary.

 The Assistant Director- Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Babajide Martins highlighted the need for the decentralization of prisons, community based advocacy, and introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) necessary for database management systems for finger prints and picture identification of Awaiting trial persons. He felt all these were necessary to stoke the flames of reform with the penal system. He further underscored the need for the government to explore the issue of prison privatization which has proven quite effective in several other countries. He also informed everyone present that the recently passed Freedom of Information Bill can be a very useful tool in the hands of the media to hold the government accountable within the society.

While Mr. Dele Bodunde of the News Agency of Nigeria focused on the need for relaxed bail conditions as a way of decongesting prisons, as well as the inculcation of crime prevention education in the curriculum of secondary schools; Mr. Ifunanya Igbokwe of PRAWA spoke on behalf of Nigerian youths. Mr. Igbokwe explained that there is no way to fight crime without going back to the roots and starting with the family unit. He reiterated the role Faith Based Organizations could play as well as the need for skill acquisition programmes for young people who find it hard to even defend their university qualification. He further highlighted the need for collaboration with private sectors and public awareness and re-orientation by the media.

During the roundtable, Mrs. Josephine Obute of the News Agency of Nigeria expressed her concern that the Nigerian Prison Service makes it quite difficult for the media to perform their tasks of public awareness creation by frustrating efforts made towards prison visitation. In response, Mr. Alimi, on behalf of the Prisons Service, extended an open invitation to members of the press interested in visiting the prisons. Mr. Raphael Mbaegu (CLEEN foundation) and  Mr. Emmanuel Amuchi (Nigerian Television Authority) also expressed their dissatisfaction that the Nigerian Police Force was absent at an important event such as this, given that they are further aggravating the problems faced by the criminal justice system through poor investigation, torture and the arrest of innocent people.

After thanking the participants for their wonderful inputs in course of the meeting, Sir Gabriel Toby maintained that one of the things PRAWA wants to achieve is effective partnership with necessary stakeholders. During the Vote of thanks, Ms. Kate Ibeanusi of PRAWA not only agreed with Sir. Toby but also stated that PRAWA will contact everyone present for collaboration and hopes that they will be willing to offer the organization the requested help.