NCJ Number
198468
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 150-153
Date Published
December 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the activities of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin-City in regards to the provision of support services to prison inmates.
Abstract
Addressing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria, this article highlights programs of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin-City in regards to the provision of support services to prison inmates. Noting that NGOs are becoming increasingly involved in the provision of social services and assistance to largely marginalized, deprived, and unserved people, the author describes various Nigerian NGOs that are in place to address the “deplorable” conditions of prisoners’ welfare. Focusing on the JDPC, the article addresses its various human rights, agricultural development, political awareness, and women empowerment/development programs. Following a brief discussion of the poor conditions of sanitation and medical treatment in most Nigerian prisons, the author describes the JDPC’s Free Medical Clinic that provides counseling, legal aid, vocational skills training and acquisition, library, liaison, and resettlement of discharged prisoner’s services. Arguing that the various prison inmate support services provided by the JDPC cost this voluntary organization large sums of money, the author contends that it is necessary for local and international agencies to provide assistance of funds, drugs, dressings, clothing, materials, books, etc. to the JDPC in order to assist them in providing these services and resources to prison inmates. The significant contributions made by the JDPC in Nigeria suggest the utility of cooperation among governments and NGOs. Tables, references