Group Wants ICT Centres In Prisons

The Rivers State Gov
ernment has been urged to establish Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre at various prisons and other related areas in a bid to integrate inmates into its ICT scheme.
The President of Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence (NDCAV), Comrade Christian Lekia said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
He said a standard ICT centre at different prison yards in the state would enable the inmates to understand the global activities around them and consider the need to turn a new leaf.
Lekia noted that the essence of incarcerating law offenders was to rebuild and retrain and not to condemn them.
The non violence crusader maintained that anyone who lacks the latest knowledge of the global activities may not see reasons for change, saying that the presence of ICT in such areas would do the expected magic.
The NDCAN leader stressed that some prisoners are still “good citizens” and should be treated well like other free members of society.
He also called on the Federal Government to do same in all federal prisons so that inmates can have a sense of belonging.
According to him, if the prisons were saddled with ICT tools and other internet facilities, the country could produce a world class scholar from among the inmates.
He recalled how other countries of the world use prisons as rehabilitation centres for their inmates and bring them out as rebranded members of the society.
He, however, called on governments at all levels to give ICT development the needed attention, saying it is a better option for the crude oil industry due to its vibrancy and ready market.