Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with Prison Fellowship Nigeria to implement measures aimed at the effective reformation of inmates in correctional facilities across the state.
Accordibg to a press release signed by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Mutfwang made this pledge when the newly appointed Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Dr. Jacob Tsado, led other officials on a courtesy visit to the New Government House, Rayfield, Jos.
Commending the organization for its selfless dedication to inmate reformation, Governor Mutfwang emphasized the critical role of moral and social consciousness in transforming lives. He noted that in a justice system plagued by corruption and lawlessness, groups like the Prison Fellowship bring integrity and hope for a better future for inmates.
The Governor also expressed delight at the progress made in constructing a state-of-the-art correctional facility with a capacity of 3,000 inmates in Jos East Local Government Area. He called for the timely completion of the project to enhance service delivery and address the growing challenges in the correctional system.
Highlighting the importance of restorative justice, Governor Mutfwang said: “We must take a holistic look at the criminal justice sector. Justice must not only be for the victims but also for the accused and society as a whole. Government plays a critical role as a mediator to harmonize these interests for the restoration of justice.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Dr. Jacob Tsado, appreciated the Governor for the warm reception and emphasized the organization’s mission of instilling moral values in inmates to help them reintegrate as responsible and productive members of society.
Dr Tsado announced that Prison Fellowship Nigeria has just commenced a Restorative Justice, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation (RJRR) Project which is designed to integrate restorative justice principles into the justice system, offering practical solutions to challenges such as overcrowded courts, high recidivism rates, and the societal stigma faced by ex-offenders.
He said the Project was supported by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and funded by the European Union, and Plateau State has been chosen as one of the focal states. The other states are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos and Abuja. He said a Restorative Justice Workshop would take place in the state within the next few weeks.
Speaking further on the concept of restorative justice, Dr. Jacob explained: “Restorative justice is a global approach that prioritizes the needs of victims, holds offenders accountable, and restores societal harmony through reconciliation. Unlike conventional punitive justice systems, restorative justice focuses on addressing specific offenses, their root causes, and their implications for the future.”
He added that Governor Mutfwang’s transformative leadership, evident in his development initiatives across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas, have significantly contributed to the well-being of citizens.
