Benin City, Nigeria – August 26, 2025 – The Edo State Parole Board has completed its review of 13 parole applications submitted by inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Benin, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its correctional system. After a rigorous evaluation process, the board, chaired by retired Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga, shortlisted five inmates for direct interviews to determine their eligibility for early release. The hearings, conducted in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, reflect a commitment to balancing justice with rehabilitation, ensuring that inmates who demonstrate genuine reform are given a chance to reintegrate into society.
The parole process, which emphasizes good behavior, productivity, evidence of rehabilitation, and concrete reintegration plans, underscores the broader objectives of Nigeria’s correctional system to not only punish but also reform and restore. As the board prepares to forward its final recommendations to the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, stakeholders are optimistic that the initiative will contribute to safer communities and a more humane approach to justice. The hearings, attended by representatives from various organizations, highlight the collaborative effort to ensure fairness, transparency, and societal benefit in the parole process.
A Rigorous and Transparent Process
The Edo State Parole Board’s hearings, conducted over several days, involved a meticulous assessment of each of the 13 applications submitted by inmates. Chaired by retired Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga, a respected jurist with extensive experience in Nigeria’s legal system, the board evaluated candidates based on a set of clearly defined criteria. These included good behavior during incarceration, productivity within the custodial facility, evidence of rehabilitation, and the presentation of viable plans for reintegration into society.
Justice Edodo-Eruaga emphasized the importance of a thorough and impartial evaluation process. “Granting parole is not merely about releasing inmates from custody,” she said during the hearings. “It is about ensuring that those who are released are prepared to contribute positively to society, thereby strengthening community safety and building a more secure nation.” Her remarks reflect the board’s commitment to aligning its decisions with the principles of restorative justice, which prioritize rehabilitation and societal reintegration over punitive measures alone.
The Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, which guides the parole process, represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to corrections. The Act emphasizes rehabilitation and reintegration, moving away from the traditional punitive model of incarceration. By establishing parole boards at the state level, the Act empowers local authorities to assess inmates’ readiness for release, ensuring that decisions are informed by a deep understanding of local contexts and individual circumstances.
Criteria for Parole Eligibility
The parole board’s evaluation process was designed to ensure that only inmates who demonstrate genuine reform and readiness to reintegrate are considered for early release. Good behavior, a primary criterion, was assessed through records of inmates’ conduct within the custodial center. This included their adherence to facility rules, participation in rehabilitation programs, and interactions with staff and fellow inmates. Inmates who exhibited consistent positive behavior were deemed to have shown a commitment to personal growth and accountability.
Productivity while in custody was another key factor. The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Benin offers various vocational and educational programs, allowing inmates to acquire skills and contribute to the facility’s operations. The board reviewed inmates’ participation in these programs, including tailoring, carpentry, and literacy classes, to gauge their efforts to prepare for life after release. Productivity, in this context, was seen as an indicator of an inmate’s willingness to embrace rehabilitation and build a foundation for self-sufficiency.
Evidence of rehabilitation was perhaps the most critical criterion. The board examined whether inmates had undergone psychological and behavioral interventions to address the root causes of their offenses. This included participation in counseling sessions, therapy programs, and restorative justice initiatives aimed at fostering accountability and empathy. Inmates who demonstrated tangible progress in addressing their past behaviors were prioritized for further consideration.
Finally, the board required inmates to present concrete reintegration plans, outlining how they intend to reintegrate into their communities. These plans included details on employment prospects, family support, housing arrangements, and community engagement. The board sought to ensure that released inmates would not only avoid recidivism but also contribute positively to their communities, thereby reducing the risk of reoffending and enhancing public safety.
The Interview Stage
Following the initial review, the board shortlisted five inmates for direct interviews, a critical phase in determining their eligibility for parole. These interviews, currently underway, provide an opportunity for the board to engage directly with the candidates, assessing their sincerity, preparedness, and commitment to rehabilitation. The interviews are designed to probe deeper into the inmates’ personal growth, their understanding of their past actions, and their plans for contributing to society upon release.
The selection of only five candidates from the initial pool of 13 reflects the board’s rigorous standards and commitment to ensuring that only those who meet the highest criteria are recommended for parole. The interview process is expected to be thorough, with board members posing questions to evaluate the inmates’ readiness for reintegration and their potential impact on their communities. The outcomes of these interviews will inform the board’s final recommendations, which will be forwarded to the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service for approval.
Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement
The parole hearings brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, reflecting the collaborative nature of the process. Representatives from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, the Nigerian Psychological Association, the Association of Medical Social Workers, and the Edo Civil Society Organisation were present, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluations.
The involvement of the NCoS was critical, as the agency provided detailed reports on the inmates’ behavior, participation in rehabilitation programs, and overall progress during incarceration. The Director of Public Prosecutions offered legal insights, ensuring that the parole decisions aligned with the principles of justice and public safety. PRAWA, a leading non-governmental organization focused on prisoners’ rights and rehabilitation, contributed expertise on restorative justice and reintegration, advocating for policies that prioritize second chances for reformed inmates.
The inclusion of mental health professionals from the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria and the Nigerian Psychological Association underscored the importance of addressing the psychological and emotional needs of inmates. These experts provided assessments of the inmates’ mental health and rehabilitation progress, ensuring that only those who demonstrated psychological stability were considered for parole. Similarly, the Association of Medical Social Workers offered insights into the social and familial contexts of the inmates, helping the board evaluate their reintegration plans.
The Edo Civil Society Organisation represented the interests of the local community, ensuring that the parole process reflected the needs and concerns of Edo State residents. Their participation highlighted the importance of community engagement in the reintegration process, as successful parole outcomes depend on the support and acceptance of the broader society.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Correctional System
The Edo State Parole Board’s work is part of a broader effort to reform Nigeria’s correctional system, which has historically been criticized for overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and limited rehabilitation programs. The Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 marked a turning point, emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration as core objectives of the correctional system. The establishment of parole boards across states is a key component of this reform, providing a mechanism to reduce prison congestion while promoting restorative justice.
The parole process in Edo State serves as a model for other states, demonstrating the potential for collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and professional organizations to achieve meaningful outcomes. By prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration, the board is contributing to a more humane and effective correctional system, one that aligns with global best practices in criminal justice.
The hearings also highlight the importance of community safety in the parole process. As Justice Edodo-Eruaga noted, granting parole is not just about releasing inmates but also about ensuring that they pose no risk to society. By carefully vetting candidates and requiring robust reintegration plans, the board is working to minimize recidivism and promote public safety. This approach aligns with the broader goals of the Nigerian Correctional Service to create a system that balances punishment with rehabilitation.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the parole hearings represent a significant step forward, challenges remain in ensuring the success of the parole system. One key challenge is the need for robust post-release support systems to help parolees reintegrate successfully. Without access to employment, housing, and community support, former inmates may struggle to rebuild their lives, increasing the risk of recidivism. The board’s emphasis on reintegration plans is a positive step, but additional resources and partnerships will be needed to support parolees after their release.
Another challenge is public perception. In Nigeria, where crime rates and security concerns remain high, some communities may be skeptical of early release programs. The involvement of civil society organizations and mental health professionals in the parole process is critical in addressing these concerns, ensuring that only reformed and prepared inmates are granted parole. Public education campaigns may also be needed to build trust in the parole system and highlight its benefits for society.
Despite these challenges, the parole hearings offer significant opportunities for Edo State and Nigeria as a whole. By granting parole to deserving inmates, the state can reduce prison overcrowding, lower the costs of incarceration, and provide opportunities for reformed individuals to contribute to their communities. The process also strengthens the credibility of the Nigerian Correctional Service, demonstrating its commitment to rehabilitation and restorative justice.
Looking Ahead
As the Edo State Parole Board prepares to finalize its recommendations, the focus now shifts to the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, who will review the board’s findings and make the final decision on parole approvals. The outcome of this process will have far-reaching implications, not only for the five shortlisted inmates but also for the broader reform of Nigeria’s correctional system.
The hearings in Benin reflect a growing recognition of the need for a more humane and effective approach to justice. By prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration, the Edo State Parole Board is setting a precedent for other states to follow. The collaborative nature of the process, involving diverse stakeholders, underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex social issues.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges in its correctional system, the Edo State Parole Board’s work offers a glimmer of hope. By carefully balancing justice with rehabilitation, the board is contributing to a safer and more inclusive society, one where reformed individuals are given a second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to the nation’s progress.
