CLEEN Foundation bemoans challenges with parole system in Nigeria

 CLEEN Foundation bemoans challenges with parole system in Nigeria

Lagos, Aug. 1, 2024 (NAN) Mr Salaudeen Hashim, Director of Programme, CLEEN Foundation has bemoaned the challenges facing the parole system in Nigeria which is relatively a new innovation in the country.

Hashim said this during a media workshop titled: "A Parole System Not Fit for Purpose: The Legal Framework of the Parole System in Nigeria." which held on Tuesday at Watercress Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos State.

According to him, the parole system was introduced into law in 2015 but the system was not achieving it's set objective especially in the area for which it was created for.

"The system, currently as structured, is not achieving it's set objective because there is a set back with the administration of criminal justice, particularly with the parole innovation," Hashim said.

He said that the challenges with the value chain within it's implementation bordered around non compliance, administration, operationalisation, structure, financing and with the entire conception.

"Most importantly, there is weak political support particularly as it relates to non existence and the functionality of the parole board at the various states.

"This is also a major challenge that requires immediate attention," he stated.

Hashim said that there was no record of anybody who had benefited from the parole system since it was introduced, apart from political exposed persons who had benefited.

"Even at that, they are beneficiaries under the prerogative of Mercy Committee and not particularly under the parole board.

"Our findings, suggest, clearly that those with lower social status do not have any form of access to the parole list so the issue of eligibility is also a problem.

"The only significant thing is that we have it within our laws but there is no operationalisation of that law in any space," he noted.

The director said that most of the states in Nigeria did not have a parole board, and in cases where they did, the board don't meet.

"There is no terms of reference for how the board should meet, there is no funding for the board to operationalise, and you do not see any form of political activation around the board.

"In fact, in some states, the parole board chairperson lives outside the state and for some, outside the country and the board has never met at all since inauguration.

Hashim said that another noticable challenge was that parole boards were conflicting with the existing prerogative of mercy committee which gave governors absolute powers.

"There is the perception that the parole board will actually be wearing down the powers of the governor so must state have refused to operationalise that particular provision.

"The parole clearly stipulates that recommendation can be given to the court to consider and inmate for a parole with a recommendation from the controller of prison.

"However, this is not functional because the governors believe it will take away some of their powers," he said.

The director said that the importance of the parole system in Nigeria reduces pressure on custodial facilities, reduces frequent jail breaks, and reduces grievances among inmates.

"The parole system also provides some sense of ownership for the community because people become participants.

"For you to enjoy parole, the conditionality should state that community should also be able to vouch for the person during parole.

"Parole is not absolute but a gradual reintegration process, so in any place where the community faults the parolee for not complying with the conditionalities, there are tendencies that it can be revoked," Hashim said.

ReelzzNewzz24 describes the CLEEN Foundation (formerly known as Centre for Law Enforcement Education) as Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) established in January 1998.

The objectives of the foundation's mission include promoting public safety, securing and accessing justice through the strategies of empirical research, legislative advocacy, demonstration programmes among other things.