Stakeholders in Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States have expressed worries about the operations of remand homes, citing issues such as overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified staff, insufficient resources for rehabilitation, and lack of proper educational and recreational activities for the children.
The stakeholders, in separate interviews with correspondents, urged government to improve the facilities and conditions in the centres by providing better living standards, access to education and healthcare, as well as psychosocial support.
In Osun, the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development disclosed that remand homes were being used to reform and equip children with skills for self-reliance.
Mr Gboyega Babs, welfare officer at the Juvenile Remand Home in Osogbo, said the facility remained operational with adequate provisions to cater for the children.
He explained that offenders below 18 years were remanded at the home with care aimed at making them better individuals after release. He added that the centre also follows up on most of the children to ensure their wellbeing.
According to him, the home prioritises rehabilitation and reintegration over punishment for young offenders.
“Government makes sure that the expected facilities are provided for these children throughout their stay. We monitor them and also ensure they are rehabilitated and reformed before being released to society,” he said.
Babs added that the children were also being trained in various skills to aid their reintegration.
Similarly, the Head of Department, Children and Social Affairs at the ministry, Mr Olusegun Akande, explained that the children were not supposed to be kept for more than 21 days.
*“Within the period of their stay, they are pre-occupied with menial tasks and recreational sports. Ideally, the children are to be kept for a maximum of 21 days, pending the outcome of their cases in court.
“Unfortunately, some are there for up to one to two years because when the Police drop them at the centre, they don’t come for them again. What we do is keep them busy and also invite Pastors and Imams to guide them spiritually so they change their ways.
“For their education, ideally, there should be a government-approved school within the centre, but since there is none in Osun, we take them to the nearest school,”* he said.
He noted that most of the children were usually released back to their parents when they showed remorse, while hardened cases were transferred to the Federal Juvenile Correctional Centre in Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
A criminologist at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. James Ayodele, called on state and federal authorities to ensure adequate monitoring and aftercare services.
“One of the relevance of these remand homes is that they help decongest correctional facilities meant for adult offenders. Adequate funding and qualified personnel should also be provided by government,” he said.
In Ekiti, social welfare officer Miss Moyinoluwa Ogundowole said the Ado-Ekiti Remand Home was up to standard but inadequate funding was limiting its operations.
Ogundowole, who also runs a Non-Governmental Organisation, urged government officials to visit the centre regularly to provide infrastructural facilities and ensure the proper care of children.
She also suggested formal education programmes to encourage the children, saying this would make them feel valued by government and society.
Another officer, Mrs Rita Ilevbare, founder of Gender Relevant Initiatives Promotion (GRIP), said the home was designed to reform children and instil positive values.
A psychologist at Ekiti State University, Dr Dada Badmus, expressed concern about overcrowding and poor bedding, which he said affected the children psychologically.
Legal practitioner Sunday Adeyemi advised state governments to upgrade juvenile homes through training, education, and employment of qualified teachers, psychologists and security officers.
He also recommended consistent follow-up on children after release to ensure they conform to societal norms.
In Ondo State, sociologist Mr Sunday Bamidele identified positive effects of remand homes, including attitude remodelling and skill acquisition.
“It gives them the advantage of educational advancement, especially in developed nations where such centres provide better facilities. It also keeps them away from society, preventing criminal influence,” he said.
Bamidele, however, noted negative effects such as poor mental health, exposure to hardened offenders, drug use, and gang-related influences.
“Some with health issues may not have access to necessary drugs. In some instances, the environment itself is not conducive, exposing them to gangsterism and physical conflicts,” he added.
(NAN)