Innocent Convicts: The Need for Empathy for Prisoners The avowed integrity of General Buhari has the respect of many ( at least , until recent times). He it was, who opined that the Nigerian Judiciary may buckle under pressure. Just like the military did when it was once heralded as the messiah of the Nigerian State. The scenario recently played out by two eminent justices collaborates this opinion. Adjudicating on issues is no small matter. Here, intelligence and wisdom interact. Yet, it takes more than that. The intent of a man’s heart (motive), his actions, and incidental manoeuvrings have to be factored in. Hence, it takes a God to judge perfectly. Rubin Carter ‘’Hurricane’’ (a celebrated African-American pugilist) was incarcerated for murder (under trumped up charges instigated by racial bias). It took about two decades to prove his innocence and set him free. Imagine his pains! The story of Nelson Mandela battle with the South African jails does not require reiteration. Laughably, his name was only recently expunged from the U. S terror list! What about the likes of Wole Soyinka, and the Ziks and Awos of this world? Although the cases of political prisoners seem to get more of public sympathy perhaps because it is easier to relate with, same can not be said of convicts of heinous crimes such as murder, armed robbery and terrorism. Conviction on any of these charges immediately impinges on credibility. It is one reason why many people are inclined to dissociation from these culprits. Such convictions are treated as plagues. Perhaps rightly so. Victims of crime and criminality hardly forget the horrors they have undergone. It is only right that justice be served to assuage these horrors, and serve as deterrents . And lest impunity reigns. However, the knowledge of the fact of the subjectivity of the human justice systems adds another dimension. Hence, the need for empathy for prisoners for the sake of those who may have been wrongfully convicted can not get excess mention. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Miscarriages of justice occur globally but it is more askance in developing societies like ours. Is not the Nigerian society already suffering from its apathy and attitude to the detained?
In the face of the legal hurdles and intricacies, justice is expensive. How many can afford it? Some NGOs have done well in this regard to provide succour for some inmates. However, it seems like a drop in the ocean given the multiplicity of cases. Besides, how many of us are sensitized about the plight of prisoners? How many visit the prisons to encourage its occupants? No doubt, crime and criminality should be treated with aversion, but not all held in the prisons may be criminals. Some may be far godlier than we can imagine. Added to that, the high-walled places are (at least in theory) reformation centres and not necessarily punitive dungeons where destinies are ruined. If for nothing else, let us make efforts to ameliorate the plight of the confined because of those who may be innocent. This can be done by simple visits to appreciate their plight –as a first step. Helping the helpless will always be noble. Do the words of the Lord on visitation to prisons (Matthew 25:36) still resonates with many? Good is eternal . Bad is ephemeral. And change is a constancy on this turf. Even today’s criminals can become tomorrow’s righteous. Many will act in very similar fashion under the same condition they criticize others for. Let the sinless cast the first stone. ’’Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindnessand goodness, but a faithful man who can find?’’ (Proverbs 20:6).
Imoukhuede Moses Idehai imoism@gmail.com