WITHOUT PRISON, YOU CANNOT SLEEP WITH TWO EYES CLOSED

 

In Nigeria, prisons also known as custodial or correctional centres, are often viewed with a mix of apprehension and disdain, conjuring images of high perimeter walls, observation towers, and dare-devil armed personnel manning them. Many are oblivious of the fact that these often-underappreciated facilities are actually responsible for their ability to have a tranquil night rest. The idea of sleeping with two eyes closed signifies a state of peace, security, and trust in the system that protects us. Without custodial facilities, this assurance becomes nearly impossible, as they play a pivotal role in upholding law and order in every human society.

It is a given that prisons serve as a cornerstone of the criminal justice system, providing a mechanism to accommodate, rehabilitate, and reform persons who violate societal norms and laws. By isolating criminals from the rest of the population and putting them into custody, prisons reduce immediate threats that such criminal elements can pose, and also ensure that law-abiding citizens live without fear. For instance, in 2021 after the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Owerri, Imo State, was attacked by gunmen and about 1800 inmates freed illegally into the society, the rate and prevalence of crime and criminality spiked. In fact, there were reports of fugitives threatening, attacking and even killing law-abiding members of the society. Residents of the town as a whole found sleeping at night a mirage during this time.

Secondly, prisons being a total institution, provide the enabling environment where offenders can reflect on their actions and inactions to gain insight, undergo reformation and rehabilitation programmes, and prepare for reintegration. Treatment initiatives in custodial facilities are targeted at unravelling the causes of inmates’ antisocial behaviours, providing them psychosocial support for effective rehabilitation, empowering them with skills for effective reformation, and supporting them during reentry. All these are aimed at enabling Nigerians to sleep with two eyes closed.

Prisons or custodial centres serve as deterrents to potential criminals. Only knowing that one would be imprisoned would sends jitters and cause them to refrain. Therefore, knowing that there are consequences for criminal actions discourages many from engaging in activities that would harm others or disrupt societal harmony. This fear of imprisonment helps maintain public safety and order, as individuals are more likely to think twice before committing crimes when they understand the penalties involved. The absence of such a deterrent mechanism would embolden criminals, leading to increased lawlessness and insecurity. There is no doubt that societies without prisons would struggle to maintain control, while the notion of justice would lose its meaning. There is no gainsaying that this deterrence function of the prison has promoted sound sleep among Nigerians.

Another fundamental functions of prisons is to protect the vulnerable and the weak such as children, elderly etc. from the vicious activities of criminals. Crimes such as robbery, assault, and fraud disproportionately affect those who are least equipped to defend themselves. Therefore, in order to protect such vulnerable segment of the society, prisons or custodial centres help to remove such criminals from the general population, safeguarding potential victims and creating a safer environment for everyone in the community.

Additionally, while retribution is a primary function of prisons, their role in rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of offenders cannot be ignored. Modern correctional systems aim to rehabilitate and reform offenders by addressing the root causes of their criminal behavior, such as lack of education, drugs and substance abuse, family disorganization, peer influence or psychological issues. Edifying programmes within prisons often include vocational training, counseling, and educational opportunities to help inmates become productive members of society. A society without prisons would lack the infrastructure to provide such interventions. Offenders might continue to spiral deeper into criminality, unable to break free from the cycles that led them there. By offering a structured environment for rehabilitation and reformation, prisons contribute to reducing recidivism and fostering a sense of hope for those willing to change.

Besides, imagining a world without prisons reveals the chaos that would ensue. Without a system to detain and manage offenders, counterproductive alternative methods might emerge, leading to widespread injustice and human rights abuses. Individuals and communities might take the law into their own hands, resulting in mob justice, wrongful accusations, and an erosion of the rule of law. Also, the absence of prisons would undermine trust in the criminal justice system, as citizens rely on the government to protect them from harm and ensure that criminals face the music. Without this assurance, public confidence would wane, and societal cohesion would weaken, leaving no one to have a sound night sleep.

Furthermore, commercial and economic activities would suffer in a prison-less society. It is true that commercial and economic activities thrive in stable conditions where their assets and interests are protected and promoted. Without prison facilities to enforce public safety and order, economic growth and development would be unachievable in such society, while unemployment and poverty would rise, further exacerbating crime and murdering sleep.

In conclusion, prisons are essential not only for reforming offenders but also for protecting communities, rehabilitating individuals, and maintaining societal law and order. They provide the assurance that those who break the law are held accountable, allowing citizens to sleep with two eyes closed, confident in their safety. However, to fully realize the potential of prisons, governments and stakeholders must address the challenges facing the system. Without the prison institution, the darkness of unchecked crime would overshadow the hope of a better tomorrow.

 

Kelvin Abuchi Ugwuoke is a Chief Superintendent of Corrections presently attached to the Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service National Headquarters, Abuja. For feedback, send to: ugwukev11@gmail.com or call/SMS/Whatsapp: 07032041733.