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The Kaduna State Government has begun paying N100,000 each to 97 former inmates recently pardoned by Governor Uba Sani as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society and reduce the risk of reoffending.
The disbursement took place on Friday at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, fulfilling the governor’s promise to assist the beneficiaries after they were released on June 12 to commemorate Democracy Day.
The former inmates were granted freedom under the governor’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, while the state government also paid court-imposed fines for some of them to facilitate their release.
Assistant Controller of the custodial centre, Dalhat Ibrahim, said the intervention would strengthen rehabilitation efforts by giving the beneficiaries an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“By paying the fine of the inmates and giving them financial assistance, this will encourage them to go and do what they are supposed to do. They are now set to be reintegrated into society,” he said.
He urged them to use the money to establish small businesses instead of returning to crime, adding that the initiative supports the correctional service’s mandate of reform, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Mohammed Suleiman, said the payment marked the final phase of the clemency programme and fulfilled the governor’s commitment to provide financial support to the released inmates.
He also encouraged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and avoid actions that could lead to another prison term.
“We are here as part of the last leg of the clemency granted some inmates on June 12.
“We are fulfilling the Governor’s promise by extending financial support of N100,000 each to the freed inmates,” Suleiman said.
Two beneficiaries, Chuks Solomon and Abubakar Umar, expressed gratitude to the state government, saying the financial assistance would help them start businesses and rebuild their lives.
The initiative forms part of Kaduna State‘s broader criminal justice reform programme to decongest correctional facilities, promote restorative justice and support the successful reintegration of former offenders into society.
