PRAWA empowers Lagos community offenders
September 10, 2026 12:08 am
The Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action on Monday empowered selected offenders undergoing community service in Lagos with starter packs as part of efforts to prevent reoffending and support their reintegration into society.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Onimisi Osho, who signed the statement announcing the initiative, said the initiative, held at the Lagos State Command Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service, aimed to give offenders legitimate means of livelihood after their court-ordered community service and reduce the likelihood of their returning to crime.
He mentioned that sustained investment in rehabilitation and economic empowerment would enhance successful reintegration, reduce the risk of reoffending, and contribute to safer communities.
The beneficiaries were selected based on their commitment, discipline, and exemplary conduct while carrying out their community service obligations.
The items presented included an industrial/embroidery sewing machine, a manual sewing machine and a cobbler’s shoe-making machine.
“Rehabilitation must go beyond supervision and compliance. Providing practical economic opportunities is essential to preventing reoffending,” PRAWA President, Prof Uju Agomoh, stated at the event.
She said the intervention was intended to give beneficiaries a second chance while equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to become productive, self-reliant members of society.
According to her, providing sustainable livelihoods to people undergoing non-custodial measures would strengthen the objectives of such sentences and contribute to safer communities.
The Controller of Corrections, Lagos State Command, Daramola George, commended PRAWA for its partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service, describing the intervention as an important component of rehabilitation and crime prevention.
George stated, “Partnerships such as this are important because rehabilitation is not the responsibility of the Correctional Service alone.
“When we equip people with legitimate means of livelihood, we give them a stronger opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.”
He added that the intervention complemented the NCoS’s efforts to ensure non-custodial measures achieved their objectives of rehabilitation, reintegration, and crime prevention.
Also, the Officer-in-Charge of the Non-Custodial Unit, DCC V.M. Dare, urged the beneficiaries to use the equipment properly and remain productive.
Dare encouraged them to share their skills and knowledge with other willing community members, stressing that the impact of the empowerment should extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries.
The Nigerian Correctional Service and PRAWA called on government agencies, corporate organisations, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to support similar empowerment programmes for offenders undergoing non-custodial measures.
Onozure is a correspondent of The PUNCH on the judiciary beat. She has over a decade experience covering criminal and civil matters from the magistrate to the appellate courts. She’s a graduate of Political Science
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