Five female former inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, have asked for support for rehabilitated ex-convicts through patronage, employment, and other opportunities.

The female ex-inmates made the appeal during an appreciation visit to the controller of corrections, FCT command, Christopher Jen, to acknowledge his support and humane treatment during and after their stay in custody, according to a statement on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Duza Adamu.

The delegation led by Mariam Suleiman comprised women who recently received Trade Test Certificates from the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The ex-inmates are currently producing shoes, bags, and other leather goods, demonstrating the impact of rehabilitation, skills acquisition, and reintegration programmes.

Ms Suleiman, while thanking the controller and staff of the command, said the treatment and support they received while in custody had enabled them to become self-reliant and productive citizens.

She also urged Nigerians to stop stigmatising or discriminating against ex-inmates, stressing that support was essential to help them sustain their businesses and remain productive and crime-free.

Mr Jen commended the women for their transformation and maintaining good conduct after their release. He encouraged them to remain good ambassadors of the NCoS and to see themselves as women capable of driving positive change in society.

Mr Jen reiterated that the mandate of the NCoS, under the Correctional Service Act, 2019, goes beyond custody to include reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. He said ex-offenders, particularly women who had acquired vocational skills, should be regarded as assets capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.

The controller urged the women not to allow discrimination to discourage them from pursuing legitimate means of livelihood. According to him, the visit underscores the importance of aftercare support and vocational training in facilitating the successful reintegration of female ex-inmates into society.

(NAN)