Esther Oluku
As part of efforts to aid social and emotional transition from life in prison, not-for-profit organisation, Pain Is A Gift Initiative (PGI), has urged the Federal Government to create rehabilitation centers to provide mental support for the integration of freed inmates into society.
Founder of PGI, Mr. Tosin Imhogiemhe, made the call during an outreach to the Badagry Correctional Center in Lagos where it donated victuals to inmates in the spirit of Yuletide.
This outreach, which would mark the fifth year of the foundation’s charity work with correctional centers across the country, also doubles as the founder’s fifth year of rendering free mental health therapy to inmates across the country.
Imhogiemhe explained that beyond vocational training offered to inmates, there is a need to mentally prepare inmates for life outside the walls of correctional centers.
He opined that the government plays a pivotal role in spearheading the initiative by creating centers designated with the task of mentally preparing inmates for society.
“Aside from vocational training, they need a character building class or session that would renew their minds. To change them, we need rehabilitation and sensitisation, so that when they are out, they don’t become worse.
“I think that government plays a huge role in aiding our pursuit. Government need to provide the avenues and support us with rehabilitation centres or funding such that when these people leave the prison, the prison also leaves them and they go back to fit into society seamlessly.”
While admitting the the government alone cannot do the job, he called for the collaboration of well meaning individuals and agencies to partner with the government in building a more inclusive society for all.
“Individuals, NGOs and international organisations should support us. It is a personal thing to help the hopeless and helpless in society.”
Sharing its success story from its visit to the Badagry Correctional Center, Imhogiemhe stated that PGI aided the release of some inmates who were held hostage as a result of failure to pay minor fines. He therefore urged the government to expedite the process of trial of inmates who have committed minor offenses to aid their release and the decongestion of centers to make for better living conditions for inmates still held in custody.
“When we got to Badagry Correctional Centre, we discovered it is quite different. The leader is a man of integrity and transparent. He really inspired us and informed us about the crime called raiding where people are captured in the streets of Lagos and brought to the centre for walking aimlessly.
“He informed us that they have petty fines and once they are paid, they can be released. We thought to ourselves that this is Christmas, and we can help people reunite with their families as opposed to rotting in prison for no crime at all. It is a huge privilege and I couldn’t have done it alone as I have a great team that I work with who are relentless in making these things a reality.
“We aided the release of four inmates and gave them some stipends to go home to their families. We are glad and feel fulfilled.”
Speaking on the journey thus far, Imhogiemhe said when the foundation started, “it seemed like a herculean task, but I called a few friends together and we brain stormed and started. It’s been five years now, and we have been to almost all the correctional centres in Lagos.”
