The Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN) has called for urgent reforms in the nation’s criminal justice system to decongest the rising inmates in correctional centres across the country.

The Executive Director of PFN, Dr Jacob Tsado, made the call at PFN’s Family Weekend and 2025 Annual General Meeting themed “Your Kingdom Come” from the book of Matthew 6:10, in Abuja.

Mr Tsado said the PFN, which was founded 37 years ago, operates in 33 states of Nigeria, working inside correctional facilities and engaging with justice system stakeholders.

According to him, the fellowship has also been engaging with relevant authorities to address issues around the decongestion of the centres.

He said, “However, we do not believe in shouting without solution. That is why we started the restorative justice programme, so that centres can be established to provide avenues for effective and easier resolution of simple cases.”

He explained that this would help instead of just lumping everybody in the correctional centres.

He stated, “So, we are involved in advocating for restorative justice and changes within the system that will alleviate this problem. We are also linking with like-minded organisations to talk about these things and find a solution. This is an issue Nigeria must face, because it is said that the way we treat our most vulnerable people shows the character of the nation. If our justice system is so sluggish, crude, that people just get lumped up in the system and become worse, then fundamentally there is a problem.”

Mr Tsado, therefore, said that part of the things PFN hoped to achieve over the weekend was to look at the problems and see what other solutions could be provided to the government and its relevant authorities.

According to him, this year alone, PFN have set up restorative justice steering committees in eight states of Nigeria, in all the geopolitical zones.

He added that the fellowship has committees made up of judges, attorney general, members from the police force, the correctional centre, human rights groups among others looking at how to fashion out implementation strategies for restorative justice

Mr Tsado added that PFN also established the Onesimus Pre-Release Empowerment Programme which engages inmates about to finish their terms by building their skills for employment and others.

He said when such inmates are released; PFN gives them starter packs and mentor them for the next 12 months, adding that it has reduced the recidivism rate that is the offending rate among the cohort involved.

The executive director described PFN as a coalition of individuals, churches, and ministries working to promote restorative justice and engage with correctional and judicial institutions nationwide.

He said the annual meeting brought together volunteers from across Nigeria to share experiences, review progress, and renew their commitment to prison and justice reform advocacy.

Also speaking, Chairman, PFN, FCT chapter, Adegbaye Olalekan, commended the government and other stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs for their support, appealing to them to sustain it to correct Nigeria’s justice system.

“There are no systems that are perfect. And every strategy, at one time or the other requires work. Of course, periodically, we try to see what we need to do more that we can do better, to be able to make sure that we are more effective. The testimonies in our federal correctional centres are a proof that our strategy has been effective. Every time, we try to see what we can do to make what we have to be better.

Mr Olalekan, therefore, called on Nigerians to support the PFN’s compassionate service.

He added, “It is a service that when we render, there is no thank you. But God has given us strength to continue to be able to do it. So, we are appealing to everyone, including journalists, to join us to be able to bring compassion to these people. What we do is to go there not to condemn them, but to let them know that they can have a second chance, that they can still do better. We actually give them an opportunity to know that they can excel, they can win in life if they play very well.”

(NAN)