The Lagos State House of Assembly has said that the proposed Lagos State Correctional Service Bill 2025 will significantly enhance the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society once passed into law.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, represented by lawmaker Ajani Owolabi, stated this at a one-day public hearing on the bill held Friday at the Assembly complex.
According to Obasa, the bill seeks to shift the justice system in Lagos State from a punitive approach to one focused on reform, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. “Justice should not only punish but empower individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to the community,” he said.
The proposed legislation aims to establish a legal framework for both custodial and non-custodial correctional measures. Obasa described the move as a bold step towards replacing outdated prison models with modern systems built on human dignity and social reintegration.
Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Public Petitions, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale, decried the chronic overcrowding in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, largely due to the high number of pre-trial detainees. He called for humane treatment of inmates and better structures for rehabilitation. Ajomale also urged the Federal Government to increase investments in correctional infrastructure nationwide.
“Reintegration remains a major global challenge. Society must welcome reformed ex-inmates and offer them a second chance,” he emphasized.
House Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, presented an overview of the bill, which contains 60 comprehensive sections covering medical care, family and legal visitation rights, structured release, and proper documentation of inmates.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), commended the bill as timely and visionary. He suggested a new title that clearly reflects the inclusion of both custodial and non-custodial provisions, and called for precise definitions of key terms to aid implementation.
Deputy Chief Registrar of the Ikeja High Court, Mrs. Bolanle Osunsanmi, highlighted the plight of young inmates, many of whom have families outside Lagos. She proposed post-release liaison offices and increased use of virtual hearings to reduce pre-trial detention times.
Mr. Rotimi Oladapo, representing the Nigerian Correctional Service, lauded the initiative and emphasized the need to clearly separate custodial and non-custodial roles during implementation.
Also contributing, CSP Charles Akinrosoye of the Lagos Police Command, recommended transitional programmes and infrastructure guidelines for future correctional centres.
Mrs. Joke Aladesanmi, from the Centre for Legal Support and Inmates Rehabilitation, called attention to the lack of genuine rehabilitation services. She urged lawmakers to focus on mental health, education, and the alignment of sentencing with rehabilitation objectives.
Mr. Alabi Muftau, Executive Director of Inmates Educational Foundation, advocated stronger collaboration with civil society, youth representation on the correctional board, and prioritization of inmate education programmes. He also encouraged partnerships with religious organizations involved in moral reformation and reforms to accelerate judicial processes.