PRISONER: READ TO GET RELEASED

Prisoner reading a book

In the prison yard, we can say that there are inmates who probably didn't commit the offence alleged them. This we can categorically say about the Nigerian Prison of today.

But do you know that in Brazil today, prisoners now have their freedom in the palm of their hands? Oh yes!

Brazil has inculcated reading for reduction of jail terms.

This is how it works, for every book a prisoner reads, they must write a report on the book they've read and submit. Once the report is assessed by a panel and approved, the prisoner gets 4days off their jail term.

This is a way of rehabilitation of inmate in order to become more responsible individual once their orientation is changed and released into the society yet again.

Since this initiative, there has been about 30% reduction in criminal lapses there in Brazil.

Believe you me, there is no way you'll read a book and at the same time write a review or report about the book that the teachings of such books will not stick to your understanding. Though there is a barrier to this initiative, LITERACY. Yes of course, it's when you know how to read and write that you can enjoy this privilege. But I want to believe that Brazil would have an alternative to reading and writing in order to cater for the illiterates (those who can't read and write) to benefit from this initiative too.

I advocate that this kind of initiative be adopted in Nigeria. It might not be reading and writing, it might be something else, worthwhile. Aside the fact that it reduces prisoners jail term, it has a positive impact on the psychological state of such inmates. And it serves a small but germane corrective measures, most especially for juvenile delinquency.