176 inmates regain freedom from Port Harcourt custodial centre

In a bid to decongest the Maximum Security Custodial Center Port-Harcourt by the judiciary to mark its annual legal year 2022, 176 inmates with minor offenses were released unconditionally during a jail delivery exercise.

The exercisestarted taking place on November 10 and 11 andwill end on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, with the Chief Judge of Rivers taking capital offenses.

Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Juliet Ofoni, who is the Spokesperson of the Rivers Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said this in a statement on Tuesday.

The offenses committed by the released inmates included theft, burglary, bench warrants, and contempt of court, among others.

The Chief Judge of Rivers,Simeon Amadi, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation), Friday Promon, appreciated the Controller of Corrections, Mr. Felix Lawrence, and the Officer In Charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Center, Deputy Controller of Corrections Efiong Okon Etim.

He commended them for the cleanliness of the environment befitting transformation and rehabilitation, stating that he was marveling at the high level of discipline and comportment displayed by the inmates in spite of the large population in the center.

He urged the freed inmates to be good citizens and desist from acts capable of attracting the long arm of the law to catch up with them again.

He also encouraged other inmates in the center not to be discouraged, as the exercise would be a continuous one.

In his response, the Controller of Corrections, represented by the officer in charge of the center, DCC EO Etim, thanked the government and the judiciary for living up to their responsibilities by decongesting custodial centers.

He advised the freed inmates to exhibit the good behavior and skills they had acquired while in the center to better their lives.

He further provided logistics to enable them to get to their various destinations in line with the service's mission and vision.

In their response, an inmate who spoke on behalf of the freed persons thanked God for their freedom, the state government, and the judiciary.

He said their joy would not be complete without a special appreciation to the correctional authority, particularly the officer in charge, who created the right environment and opportunities for them to be better.

According to him, their being in prison is by God for them to be better persons.