19th May, 2025
As Nigeria continues to grapple with overcrowded correctional centres, members of the Edo State Parole Board have been trained on the use of non-custodial measures to reduce the number of inmates behind bars.
The training, which held over two days in Benin City, was organised by the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOS), and supported by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, implemented by International IDEA.
John Ogundele, Programme Officer at PRAWA, described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that Nigeria’s correctional facilities are overwhelmed.
“We currently have over 81,000 inmates nationwide, and about 70 percent of them are awaiting trial. The major reason is the underutilisation of non-custodial options like parole,” Ogundele stated.
He said the capacity-building workshop was designed to equip parole board members with the tools and knowledge needed to implement parole effectively and ensure better coordination among relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
“This is not just about reducing the numbers in prison. It’s about giving people a real chance at rehabilitation and reintegration,” he said.
Retired Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga, Chairperson of the Edo State Parole Board, said the training would help the board uphold justice with compassion.
“Our justice system needs to move beyond punishment. Parole, when rightly applied, offers offenders a second chance while maintaining public safety,” she said.
Imonitie Omokhodion, who represented RoLAC, added that strengthening parole systems was essential to building public confidence in the justice system.
“Our aim is to support the parole board to function effectively and ensure deserving inmates are reintegrated into society with dignity,” he said.
Also speaking, the Controller of Corrections for Edo State, represented by Ogbue Agiliga, pledged the command’s support for the implementation of non-custodial sentencing.
“We are committed to working with the parole board to make sure these alternatives to imprisonment succeed,” he said.
Lead facilitator, retired Justice Obisike Oji, urged board members to uphold fairness in their decisions.
“Parole should be guided by objectivity. This training is a critical step toward reducing overcrowding, improving rehabilitation, and cutting down repeat offences,” he said.
With the training concluded, stakeholders expressed hope that Edo State could become a model in the effective use of non-custodial measures in Nigeria.
