In a bid to provide opportunities for prison inmates to be rehabilitated, trained with skills, provide cheap labour and consistency in production, as well as reducing the likelihood of recidivism, the Imo State House Of Assembly has moved to have mini industries established in our correctional centers in Imo State.
This was the outcome of Plenary activity on Tuesday 18/03/2025, as Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency sponsored the Motion.
In his Motion, Hon Chisom Ojukwu stated that over 90% of prison inmates at the Correctional Centers in Owerri and Okigwe are from the State, and to ensure they do not repeat acts that brought them to prison when they regain freedom, otherwise called Recidivism, that there is need to rehabilitate and train them, which the establishment of mini-industry inside the correctional centers would provide.
According to the lawmaker, adopting this approach and initiative "will not only equip inmates with valuable skills but also provide a steady workforce for the mini-industry, which directly leads to increased GDP and and overall economic growth".
Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Budget and Appropriation equally explained that since it would be a source of cheap or subsidized labour, there will be consistency in the production of goods and services, as well as getting the inmates to be useful to themselves and the society by being productive.
Calling for the collaboration between the Imo State Government and the Federal Government through their relevant Ministries and Agencies for the establishment of mini-industry at the Correctional Centers in the State, the only voice from Nkwerre in the State Assembly further argued,"if this initiative is implemented and sustained, it will create an effective parole system for the profiling, decongestion of our Correctional Centers and easier reintegration of inmates into the society upon release, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Countries like Burkina Faso have successfully implemented similar initiatives, demonstrating the potential for economic growth and social rehabilitation. By adopting this approach, Imo State can benefit from the experiences of other countries and create a model for Nigerian prison system".
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Barrister Ikenna Martins Ihezuo, Member Representing Orlu State Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :
1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon Ikenna Martins Ihezuo.
3. Hon Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha.
4. Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba.
5. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.
6. Hon Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine.
7. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
8. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
9. Hon Henry Agbasonu.
The following lawmakers supported the Motion :
1. Hon Barrister Ikenna Martins Ihezuo (Orlu).
2. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum (Owerri-North).
3. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Deputy Speaker and Member Representing Nwangele State Constituency.
4. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh (Obowo).
5. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
In their respective submissions, they commended the Chief sponsor of the Motion for coming up with the Motion which if carefully and dutifully implemented would go a long way in reducing crime rate in the society.
For Hon Ikenna Martins Ihezuo, "In advanced countries, inmates are made to be useful to themselves while in prison confinement. They undergo three types of training while in prison, namely : Occupational training, Psychological training and Educational training. This Motion focuses on the Occupational training, which provides a unique opportunity for inmates to be rehabilitated, trained and become useful to themselves and the society, when they regain their freedom, thereby staying away from crime".
For Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum, "I support the Motion, but we need to know if it is the responsibility of the State Government to set up a mini industry on a Federal Government established Correctional Center".
For Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, "the prison inmates are mostly Imo citizens, so the Motion is calling for partnership between the Imo State Government and the Federal Government on the initiative. With the establishment of mini-industry, it will make the inmates to be more useful, creative and productive, both to themselves and to the society, when they are released".
For Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, "The name Prison was changed to Correctional Centers in 2019 by the immediate Past President. Those in Prison are not meant to rot away, but their strength can be utilized or enhanced to improve themselves, the system and the society. That is the essence the Motion is seeking to achieve. It is therefore within the preview of the Assembly to seek and support the establishment of mini-industry at the Correctional Centers in the State".
For Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, "The Motion will go a long way to correct some anomalies within the Correctional Centers. When inmates are kept idle, without being engaged with something meaningful, they become worse disasters or dangerous for the society, whenever they regain their freedom. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. So this Motion is apt, and seeks to ensure prison inmates do not go back to crime when freed".
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Dr Hope Uzodimma, To Direct Relevant Ministries And Agencies To Conduct A Feasibility Study And Collaborate With Relevant Stakeholders, For The Development And Setting Up Of The Necessary Infrastructure Of The Mini Industry Or Factory At The Correctional Centers In Imo State.
Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma CON, Governor Of Imo State, To Direct Ministry Of Justice, In Collaboration With The Ministry Of Industry, Ministry Of Trade And Investment, And The Ministry Of Youths, To Develop The Necessary Legal And Operational Framework For The Successful Implementation Of This Initiative.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
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