More should be done to ensure that those released from prisons do not return to a life of crime, Prisoner’s Right Advocacy Initiative (PRAI) Founder Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem has said.
He spoke when the group held a post-prison release assessment program for former inmates in Lagos.
Adetola-Kazeem said former prisoners and awaiting trial inmates need psychological, medical and financial support when released.
These, he said, will ensure they do not end up in prison again.
The event featured mentors, coaches, counselors and entrepreneurs who taught the former prisoners how to survive after prison.
There were one-on-one engagements and counseling sessions with the 12 ex-inmates present.
“This novel event is aimed at following up on the ex-inmates to find out how they are coping with life after prison and provide psychological, medical and financial support where necessary.
“The overall aim is to ensure that ex-inmates stay out of prison forever,” Adetola-Kazeem said.
Television Continental presenter and co-host of Your View, Mrs Nymah Akashat-Zibiri , shared tips with the participants on how they can cope and move on in life.
She said: “We face problems and trials for a reason and those trials are there to make us and not to break us.”
She urged them to stay positive, possess high level of integrity and get something doing, even if it means starting small.
“When people want to support you, they need to see how you have supported yourself,” she said.
Participants came out in turns to share their experiences on life before, during and after their release from prison.
Speakers advised them on family life, how to cope with stigmatisation, and how to start and run businesses.
Representatives of organisations that will provide them with grants and job opportunities were present.
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