PFN holds conference, advocates for restorative justice system
By Our Reporter
The South-South zonal conference of Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN), an association of prison ministries of different denominations across the Christian faith, has called for restorative justice system, which must be guided by a legal framework under the State or National Assembly.
Executive Director of PFN, Barr. Benson Iwuagwu, made the call in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, during a two-day conference with the theme "Glory to Glory."
Iwuagwu who spoke through his Special Assistant on administration, Barr. Niyi Sanusi, argued that the development will change the approach and strategy in the way and manner PFN responds to the very needs of inmates.
He maintained that the gesture will also support the criminal justice and correctional institutions towards accomplishing their mandates of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
"Crime is a sociological problem, its remuneration must be multidimensional and cognizant of the sociocultural and environmental factors, as well as changes in relevant legislations like the 2019 Nigerian Correctional Service Act.
"We ought to be interested in Prison ministries for very obvious reasons, for there are people who are not intending to commit any crime but anything can happen and they find themselves labeled criminals and found behind bars.
"All of us should be prepared to take care of that area before some of us including the highly placed, end up there.
"When prisoners serve sentences and come out of the place, we should not stigmatise them as they have gone there to learn a lesson," the Executive Director advised.
South-South Coordinator, Otunba Onalaja represented by Apostle Collins Briggs, called for funding and partnership to enable the Fellowship carry out its signature programs including sycamore tree, prisoners journey projects among others.
"The Prison ministry is a huge farm where no money can be enough, we call on government, corporate bodies, well meaning individuals, to support because the work is huge and PFN is the biggest fellowship in the prison field.
"Partnering with PFN gives us the wings to fly as we already have a well designed and packaged program. For us as PFN it is volunteerism, for Christ it is to win souls and for the inmates, it is for restorative justice, reformation, transformation and better life," he said.
Chaplain, Cross River State Correctional Command, CSC Christopher Ebri, affirmed that the creation of the chaplaincy department in the correctional commands for about two years now, has helped to check the challenges faced by Faith Based Organizations, even as he called for more synergy between the staff and these religious bodies.
The event featured testimonies, prayers, group discussions and presentations by Pastors Peter Gaskin, Ita Effanga, Ini Onalaja and Barr. Niyi Sanusi, among others.
