By Correspondent in Ilorin
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State Command has commissioned a non-custodian office in Igosun, Oyun Local Government Area to address the high rate of crime in the state.
The Deputy Comptroller of the state Command of the Service, Mrs Bosede Bamidele, added that this was part of measures to discongest the custodians centres across the state.
She said the centre would also help in rehabilitating and integrating offenders back into the society.
Bamidele urged members of the community to always notify the security operatives of any strange development they descover in their areas.
The National President of Igosun Progressive Union, Barrister Rafiu Balogun, said the issue of insecurity should not be left in the hand of government alone, saying that all hands must be on deck to fight the menace.
He promised to support the Non-Custodial office to perform its duties and fulfil its obligations in accordance with the enabling law of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019.
Balogun said the enactment of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act, 2019 was the beginning of serious and applaudable reforms of the criminal justice system in Nigeria,especially in the strategic aspect of reformation.
” The trend, no doubt, is a manifestation of a desirable change from punishment to correction and reform, hence the enactment of the Correctional Act and change in nomenclature from prison to correctional centre.
“The provision of section 1(2) of the correctional service act provides for custodial and Non-custodial device to be rendered by Nigeria Correctional Service.
“Another provision in the correctional act that attracts my attention is the one that provides for restorative justice services and measures.
”This includes victim mediate family group conferencing, community mediation and any other mediation activity involving victim, offenders and community representatives,” the president of the union said.
