The Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Gad Peter, made the assertion during the opening of a two-day performance appraisal workshop on the legal framework of parole and the administration of criminal justice law in Nigeria, held in Bauchi.
He, therefore, strongly advocated for a sound legal framework and effective administration of the parole component of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law as part of efforts to decongest Custodian Centers nationwide.
Gad Peter stressed, “Parole reflects a balance between punitive measures and the need for rehabilitation, recognizing that the potential for reform and positive change exist within every individual.”
He says, “The administration of justice is the cornerstone of any society that upholds the rule of law, and our collective efforts are pivotal in ensuring that this cornerstone remains robust and effective.”
“This workshop provides an invaluable platform for us to engage in critical discussions, share insights and evaluate the current state of our legal framework on parole and its broader implications on criminal justice administrators in Nigeria,” he said
Speaking on the mechanics of the parole system, the Finance Officer of CLEEN Foundation, Chijioke Kaja, said that parole is a new correctional measure in the Nigerian penal system.
He added that before 2015, inmates could be released before the expiration of their term of imprisonment only if they were granted pardon by the Governor of a state or the President.
However, he said that this has changed with the coming into force of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 ( ACJA).
He stressed that the ACJA empowers courts to release inmates on parole upon the recommendation of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Chijioke Keja said, “The ACJA states conditions that the Comptroller-General Nigerian Correctional Service must consider before he recommends inmates for parole.
According to him, these include that the inmates must have been of good behaviour, that only inmates sentenced to imprisonment are qualified for parole, and that inmates must have served not less than one-third of their term, whether they are sentenced to a minimum of 15 years imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The workshop had in attendance the representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Correctional Service, Nigeria Bar Association, Media, Nigeria Legal Aid Council, Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, Immigration Service, Lawyers and various Civil Society Organizations, including the International Society of Zaar Intellectuals (ISOZI), among others.