Jigawa ACJL Observatory group suggest solutions to Challenges of PAROLE mechanism
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
As part of effort to promote Administration of Criminal Justice system in Jigawa state, the members of Observatory identified challenges with solutions of PAROLE mechanism in the Administration of Criminal Justice system in the state.
This was contained in a commuque signed by the Jigawa Observatory members after a two days workshop organised by the CLEEN Foundation with the support from MacArthur Foundation organized a two days workshop on Appraisal of Legal Framework on Parole held on the 20th and 21st June 2024 at Haitel Hotel Dutse.
The communique said, after series of presentations and deliberations, the stakeholders highlighted the following issues hindering effective Parole mechanism in the state.
The stakeholders identified inability of the Parole Board in Jigawa state to hold their statutory meeting since inauguration in December 2022 as well as failure from the ACJ Monitoring Committee to hold statutory meeting after they were inaugurated.
Other challenges include inadequate awareness and knowledge of Parole among stakeholders and Prolong delay from the Department of Public Prosecution to give Advice on Capital offenses.
The stakeholders therefore suggested the review of the statutory body (Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee) provided by the legal framework in the state to ensure effective functioning of Parole mechanism for the benefit of eligible inmates in custody.
They called for the support of Nigeria Correctional Service to ensure effective functioning of the Parole Board in Jigawa state through provisions of the necessary resources for the Parole Board and ACJMC to function adequately.
The Observatory members also suggested for the establishment of digital case management system for the Criminal Justice system in Jigawa state for ease of reference and tracking of cases in court and inmates in the custody of Correctional Services.
And lastly to ensure adequate collaboration with the Civil Society Organization and media for effective awareness on Parole for all citizens in Jigawa state and Capacity Building for key actors in Criminal Justice system.
The stakeholders then called on the Jigawa state government through the ministry of justice to take urgent steps towards addressing the identified issues which are innovative provisions targeted at improving the criminal Justice system in Nigeria.
