Legor Idagbo Sponsors Legislation For Reformation Of Prison Inmates

By Jonathan Ugbal

Hon. Legor Idagbo on the floor of the House of Representatives

Hon. Legor Idagbo, member representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency in the National Assembly has said that the age long issue of prison congestion can be tackled by proper reformation and reintegration of prison inmates.

The Bekwarra born politician stated this on the floor of the Green Chambers while sponsoring a bill seeking to create the center of reformation and reintegration which is expected to reform the prison system in the country as well as reduce crime rates.

“This rule aims at the implementation of the non custodial measures as an alternative to strict imprisonment and the promotion of reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners rather than excessive punishment” Legor said, adding that, “It further seeks to cure the age long problem of prison congestion”.

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Continuing, Hon. Legor, who was Works Commissioner under former governor Liyel Imoke after winning as Chairman of his local government area for a second term argued that, “The failure to reform and reintegrate prisoners really matters. It matters to the government because the cycle of re-offending costs billions of Naira each year. It matters to you and I because in the end, the victims of this re-offending are you and I.”

He added that the bill seeks to bring the prison system and its administration in line with resolution 45/110 of the United Nations General Assembly of December 14, 1990 recently adopted by the Assembly in December 17, 2015.

Furthermore, if passed into law and implemented, it will see the Nigeria Prison System modelled after systems in the United Kingdom, India, Canada amongst others where certificate programs and skill development are major reformative processes which according to Legor “Has brought about a great reduction in recidivism in these countries because offenders come out of prison much better than when they went in. “

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