Chime Advises Against Stigmatisation Of Prisoners

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu has described prisons as correctional institutions where inmates should be treated with care.

“Prisoners should not be stigmatised but rather loved and corrected,’’ said Chime, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Simon Otuanya.

Addressing the formal commissioning of the Enugu Prisons Special Study Centre and handover to the National Open University of Nigeria, the governor advised the inmates to avail themselves of the privilege of acquiring education while serving their terms.

The event also marked the maiden matriculation ceremony at the centre on Saturday.

Mr Patrick Eya, the coordinator of the centre, described the prison as a place to reform and not a place of condemnation.

Eya said no fewer than 23 students matriculated, made up of 13 inmates, three from non-governmental organisations and five staff of the prison.

He said the centre was being sponsored free of charge by Isaac-Blessing Foundation and some unnamed non-governmental organisations.

Rev. Chris Ntewu, the Comptroller of Enugu Prisons, commended all those who worked for the success of the centre, particularly the Karros Prison Ministry that renovated the building.

The comptroller said the foundation sponsored the furnishing of the library and provided about 300 books of various disciplines.

He said the foundation also provided some of the computers and paid for the registration of the matriculating students.

Ntewu told the matriculating students that they could only achieve success through good behaviour and that the sky was their limit.

The comptroller assured them that their certificates would bear National Open University of Nigeria.

Ntewu advised inmates who had yet to register “the ball is in your court and our prayer for you is that you turn a new leaf’’.

Mr Vincent Ilomuanya, an inmate, said: “I am very happy that this is an innovation and I am happy to be one of the students admitted to study law.’’