A bill for a law to establish and regulate Anambra State Correctional Service, to ensure humane and effective management of offenders, to provide for the administration of Custodial and non Custodial services in the state and for connected purposes has been red for the second time at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme while leading the debate lamented over the ill treatment been done to individuals inside the Correctional center.
Ofodeme who is the member representing Ekwusigo Constituency said duo to over population, the essence of creating Correctional which is a rehabilitation center are not been achieved.
” The only way this can be corrected is having a bill to back it up, which will also be a guard to the workers and administrators. We are not sending people to Correctional Centre to go and die but to come out as better persons”. Ofodeme said.
In their separate submissions, Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata one), Hon. Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Hon. Tony Muobike (Aguata two), Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru one), Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Jude Akpua (Njikoka two), Hon. fred ezenwa (Onitsha South one), Hon. Emma Nwafor (Orumba South) and Hon. Obi Nweke (Anambra East) supported for the speedy passage of the bill.
” The objective of this law is to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and good Correctional practice in the state.
” This law will ensure that people who commit crime are taking to a place were they will be corrected.
” It will also promote a comprehensive government approach in delivery of Correctional services with the primary focus of preventing offending and re-offending behavior.
” This bill will reduce the number of people awaiting trial and decongest the stations. It will also guide the administration of justice”. The lawmakers said.
Anambra Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided plenary, said this is the right time for the state to take charge of Correctional centers.
Rt. Hon. Udeze maintained that more states are trying to build up a concensus. He referred the bill to a joint committee on Judiciary and Justice, and committee on Homeland and Boundary Affairs who were giving four weeks to report back to the house.
The House adjurned and to reconvene on the 17th of December 2024
