Most correctional facilities in the world have nothing to write home about. The prisons are one of the worst kept places in many countries and the inhabitants of these places are usually subjected to one of the most inhumane treatments. It’s scary enough to deter anyone from ever wanting to go to prison, and keeping them all away from crime.
And here in Nigeria, the story is no different. We’ve heard stories of just how corrupt the prison system is. So many horrible things go on within those walls and words can’t even begin to express just how bad they are.
But then, one might argue that the people who are in prison deserve such treatment. After all, committing a crime means doing things without respect for the rights of others, and the punishment for that is to be taken to a place where you would have no rights at all. And then, we also know that many people in prison today are innocent. For one reason or the other, they found themselves under lock and key and they’ve been stuck there for a while now.
So, do the innocent ones also deserve to be treated that way? Let’s not forget that the funding for these prisons comes from the taxpayers. After all, there’s nothing much convicts can do from a small cell, so they have to rely on the government for feeding, health, and whatever else it is that prisoners require. And for the government, they rely on the taxpayers.
So, is it right that your hard-earned money is being used to take care of hardened criminals? Do you think it’s even worth it? Do you feel that the criminals will ever change? For this post, I’m going to assume that we live in a perfect world where only criminals are actually in prison and no innocents are locked there unjustly.
Even for criminals, the prison is one of the worst places to be. You get isolated from the rest of society and just about every second of your life is monitored and dictated. A single misstep can be fatal for you. And you can find yourself in an isolated cell, away from other prisoners as well. Personally, I don’t think there would be anything wrong with this system in such a world.
For someone who took joy in killing or raping people, they very much deserve the kind of prison that we have. They deserve to suffer just as much as their victims did. It’s not fair that while their victims are struggling to live their lives after the tragedy, the criminals are enjoying a good life in prison. So, the fact that most prisons are in deplorable states, could be an added bonus on the path to rehabilitation.
However, if we’re being honest, the problem is not really about the prison system. I believe the system has the power to change people, no matter how hardened you are. The problem is with the society when they’re released back to it, and the stigma they have to face as an ex-convict.
Fresh out of prison, no matter how much you’ve changed, people will never truly accept you back. You won’t get jobs, and you’ll come to find out that rooms will automatically get empty the minute you walk in. So, you might not have friends, family, jobs…. And with no jobs, they have no source of income. And with no source of income, how then are these ex-convicts meant to survive? No matter how badly you want to change, you’ll never be able to resist starvation. The human body is not firewood, when you’re hungry, you can do crazy things just to eat.
This is why I believe many ex-convicts find themselves returning to the original crimes they were previously arrested for, once they’re released. Because for many of them, that’s the only thing they know.
Of course, I’m not making excuses for these guys. There will never be anything that will justify a life of crime. In this day and age, there are better alternatives. It’s easier to get skills, and it’s easier for anyone to get a remote job. Working from home with a client that doesn’t care about your rap sheet. However, it’s never that easy. For many of these guys, it’s a state of mind. The prison does something to the mind, and before you can ever fully return to society, you have to rewire it.
So, I believe that rehab is very much possible, but society makes it hard. Ex-convicts who have families to come back to find it easier to bear, but those who have nothing and no one to return to will most likely find their way back to the path that will definitely lead them back to prison. It’s not fair, but it is what it is.
But alas, we live in an imperfect world. Our prison systems are not just filled with criminals and felons but also innocents who will have the “ex-convict” status forever stamped against their names. They wouldn’t deserve the kind of reception they’d get when they return to society, but I can only hope that they find a way to get their sense of self back.
So, my dear friends, rehab is very much possible. We just make it so darn hard!
There was a time I visited a correctional center also known as prison, on a religious program known as prison ministration. Seeing the conditions those people were leaving in you can't help but feel pity for them even though you are aware that some of them actually deserved it. Looking at the way prisons are structured I don't think it can be considered a rehabilitation centre because it kind of brings the worst out of criminals, some even die in there.
Speaking of ex-convict, I believe the stigmatisation is purposely designed to ensure people dont venture into the life of crime. In developed countries we have some kind of programs designed for them in order to make it a lot easier to settle back into the society but it doesn't guarantee that they won't go back to committing crimes.
Yeah... there should be programs that will help reintegrate the exconvicts into the society, or they're only going to end up back where it all began.
Are you writing about Brazil? Hahaha just kidding. But it is crazy how similar are the systems in both countries !
Yeah... It's sad to see that this is an issue that's not isolated to a particular place. We all need to do better.
The prison system is really not good for society in the end. You keep them away in prison and they workout and become more stronger, network with other criminals and make a gang. All this while getting free food and a free place to live.
Capital punishment in front of public eyes is much more effective in keeping society away from bad things. And that is my view. You are free to have your own opinion. Thanks for sharing your view btw.
Yeah... everyone is entitled to their opinion, I guess that's why only judges make the decision of sentencing them.
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Hmm
Truly, ex-convicts face some kind of crazy stigma and it is likely to make them feel bad in such a way that they will want to go back to their old ways but once a criminal is forever a criminal because they will have the urge to do it again
Well, I guess that's one way of looking at it. Especially when they're addicted to the life, it'll be hard to keep them off it.
That's the horrific thing and it's a thing that doesn't allow a criminal to turn into a good human. Again we can't blame anyone also because if you have done any sin then you must pay the price and in in case of society people, all have the right to separate themselves from ex-prisoners for security issues. How do they understand one criminal turned into a good person?
Yeah... for many people, it's not really the fact that they were in prison, but more like the fact that they committed an atrocity. That could be the reason for the cold reception.