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By our correspondent
The Prison Fellowship of Nigeria PFN has sort Transformative Approach as an alternative to traditional punitive approaches in the criminal justice system.
Addressing journalists in Jos, Plateau State, at a press briefing, the Executive Director of the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, Jacob Tsado, said his association is out to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of restorative justice.
He explained that transformative approach offers and addresses crime that benefits offenders, victims, and the communities.
The association insisted that adopting restorative justice is a cost-effective alternative to the traditional justice system, with the potential to reduce recidivism, ease the burden on courts and prisons, and promote healing for victims.
Tsado said, “Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PF Nigeria) has commenced a series of restorative justice workshops in Plateau State, the first of many interventions under its restorative justice, rehabilitation, and reintegration project.
This initiative will span eight States, including Adamawa, Edo, Anambra, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Kano, Abia, and Lagos.
He maintained that “The project is implemented under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC Phase II) Programme, funded by the European Union and managed by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The initiative aims to strengthen the rule of law and enhance anti-corruption reforms across Nigeria.
“The first Prison Fellowship Nigeria one-day sensitization workshop on Restorative Justice under this project will be held on December 3, 2024, with the theme Fostering Justice, Reconciliation, and Community Healing. The focus and objectives of the project are the restorative justice sensitization to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of restorative justice as an alternative to traditional punitive approaches in the criminal justice system.
“There will be training sessions for stakeholders, including legal practitioners, law enforcement, social workers, and community leaders, on the principles and practice of restorative justice, the establishment of restorative justice centers within designated courts to facilitate pre-diversion programs and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“Restorative justice emphasizes accountability, healing, and reconciliation between offenders, victims, and affected communities. PF Nigeria has been at the forefront of RJ advocacy since 2016, beginning with a collaboration with the Lagos State Government that led to the establishment of a Restorative Justice Center at the Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba.”
TMSnews learnt that the expected impacts of the ROLAC project seek to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, including women, children, juveniles, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence, and also aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall performance within Nigeria’s justice system.
The Executive Director emphasized that Restorative Justice offers a transformative approach to addressing crime that benefits offenders, victims, and communities alike. It is a proven, cost-effective alternative to the traditional justice system, with the potential to reduce recidivism, ease the burden on courts and prisons, and promote healing for victims.
