By Chidinma Nwaoji
Prison Fellowship Decries High Recidivism as 60% of Inmates Return to Jail
The Prison Fellowship of Nigeria has expressed concern over the alarming rate of recidivism in the country, revealing that more than 60 percent of inmates eventually return to correctional centres after reoffending.
The Executive Director of the Fellowship, Dr. Jacob Tsado, made this known on Sunday in Abuja during the organisation’s National Week of Prayers.
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Tsado described the trend as a clear indication of gaps in Nigeria’s correctional and justice systems, while urging urgent reforms to address the crisis.
“Unfortunately, reoffending and returning to correctional facilities has become widespread. In Nigeria, the recidivism rate is about 60 to 65 percent,” he said.
He, however, noted that in states where the Fellowship’s rehabilitation and restorative justice programmes are active, the rate has dropped to less than 10 percent. According to him, scaling up such interventions nationwide would significantly reduce reoffending and ease overcrowding in prisons.
Beyond recidivism, Tsado also decried the high number of inmates languishing in custody without trial, stressing that prolonged detention has worsened prison congestion.
“Why should it be that 60 to 70 percent of inmates in correctional centres are awaiting trial? That is unjust,” he said, calling on citizens, civil society groups, and religious bodies to step up advocacy and sensitisation to drive reforms in the justice sector.
He added that many Nigerians remain unaware of the neglect within correctional facilities, urging collective efforts through prayers, awareness campaigns, and engagement with authorities to demand change.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, Tsado disclosed that the Fellowship is working with state governments to incorporate restorative justice into the criminal justice system, describing it as a cost-effective and victim-centred alternative to conventional punishment.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chairman of the PFN Board, Yinka Oyewole, condemned the disenfranchisement of inmates, stressing that denying prisoners the right to vote violates their constitutional rights.
“For one being incarcerated does not mean he does not have rights. Elections should be extended to the prisons so they can also have a say,” Oyewole said, adding that the Fellowship has made submissions to government on the matter and will continue to push for change.
