The Rivers State Government has stated its resolve to come up with programmes that will meaningfully engage people at all times, thereby reducing all forms of vices and criminal activities that may lead people to prisons.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who disclosed this at the Maximum Security Custodian Centre, Port Harcourt, when he led management and staff of the Ministry to the centre for Easter visit and worship, assured inmates of the centre that there is hope for all that are alive, no matter the circumstances and situations they presently find themselves.
He assured the inmates of the centre that the state government is doing a lot to ensure that movement to prisons is reduced, even as the government is ready to ensure that those already in incarceration, who have truly changed from their evil ways, are given pardon and made to be reintegrated in the society.
Johnson, who shared fellowship with members of the Protestant Group of Churches (PGC) at both the male and female wings of the centre, expressed faith that since the crucified Jesus Christ could not be stopped from resurrecting, the inmates “will certainly gain freedom and live more worthwhile lives some day”.
Responding, the Resident Pastor at the male wing of PGC, Prince Sunday Olayo, and his counterpart at the female wing, Eucharia Moses, and Irene Armstrong, asked the government authorities to set in motion processes to ensure that those inmates that have been truly transformed be granted pardon to enable them have the opportunity to positively affect the society.
Highlight of the visit was prayers for the State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, the government, and freedom for truly repentant inmates, as well as presentation of gifts by the Ministry to inmates of the centre.