JUDICIAL, LEGAL AID AND PRISON APOSTOLATE

JDPC Onitsha believes that in a fair and effective criminal justice system, offenders are held to account, sentences are proportionate, and the primary purpose of prison is rehabilitation not retribution. This is one of the core areas of JDPC Onitsha where we advocate for systematic change in our justice processes and procedures, and its non-attendant to effective implementation. We have been partnering with the Judiciary, Police, Civil Defence, Prison Officials, Legal Defenders and Prosecutors, and other Civil Society Groups in improving crime prevention and justice systems in line with accepted standards and norms and other relevant international instruments, advice and programme support.  Some of the programmes we carry out under this unit are done through sensitization, advocacies and peer learning.

Objective: To build active citizens that will promote legal assistance to those in need and engage the duty bearers on policies that will reflect a true justice system.

Prison Apostolate

JDPC Onitsha engages in legal assistance and legal aid services for awaiting trial suspects at correction centers and public interest litigations. We have given hope to inmates who have regained freedom by carrying out economic rehabilitation and social reintegration processes while soliciting for permanent means of livelihood for them

The Archbishop of Onitsha has designated Easter and Christmas every year to spend time with the inmates and share some gifts with them. Consequently, a skill acquisition center has been constructed at the Onitsha Prison to fortify the inmates with required skills that will keep them useful after staying at the correction center.