by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigeria-Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PF Nigeria) has commenced a series of Restorative Justice Workshops in Plateau State.
Disclosing this in Jos on Monday, Executive Director Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Jacob Tsado, said, this was the first of many interventions under its Restorative Justice, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration Project.
“This initiative will span eight states, including Adamawa, Edo, Anambra, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Kano, Abia, and Lagos,” he said.
According to him, the project is implemented under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Phase II) Programme, funded by the European Union and managed by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Dr. Tsado explained that, the initiative aims to strengthen the rule of law and enhance anti-corruption reforms across Nigeria.
He asserted that, “The first Prison Fellowship Nigeria One-Day Sensitization Workshop on Restorative Justice, under this project, will be held at the Jos Business School, Off Rayfield Road, Jos, on December 3, 2024, with the theme, ‘Fostering Justice, Reconciliation, and Community Healing.’
“The Focus and Objectives of the Project, Restorative Justice Sensitization, Workshops is designed to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of restorative justice (RJ) as an alternative to traditional punitive approaches in the criminal justice system,” he explained.
Dr Tsado narrated that, these include “the Capacity Building, Training sessions for stakeholders, including legal practitioners, law enforcement, social workers, and community leaders, on the principles and practice of RJ.
According to him, the establishment of RJ Centers is to support the creation of Restorative Justice Centers within designated courts to facilitate pre-diversion programs and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
On the other hand, he said, “Rehabilitation and Reintegration Support, Empowering ex-offenders through skill development and community reintegration initiatives, and Restorative justice emphasizes accountability, healing, and reconciliation between offenders, victims, and affected communities.
“The PF Nigeria has been at the forefront of RJ advocacy since 2016, beginning with collaboration with the Lagos State Government that led to the establishment of a Restorative Justice Center at the Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba.
Furthermore, the Executive Director stated that, “The ROLAC project seeks to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, including women, children, juveniles, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence. It also aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall performance within Nigeria’s justice system.
“Restorative Justice offers a transformative approach to addressing crime that benefits offenders, victims, and communities alike. It is a proven, cost-effective alternative to the traditional justice system, with the potential to reduce recidivism, ease the burden on courts and prisons, and promote healing for victims,” he stated.