By Ameh Gabriel
Human rights advocate and social commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has lauded the Federal Ministry of Interior for the establishment of the newly inaugurated Kaduna Open Custodial Facility, now known as the “Reformed Bakery,” describing it as a transformative step in Nigeria’s correctional philosophy.
In a public statement, Adeyanju praised the initiative as a progressive shift from punitive incarceration to a correctional model rooted in rehabilitation, vocational training, and social reintegration. He noted that the facility reflects global best practices and offers inmates a renewed opportunity to become productive members of society.
“This is a forward-thinking intervention that prioritizes second chances over perpetual punishment. The Kaduna Open Custodial Facility demonstrates a justice system that values human potential and emphasizes reform, not retribution,” Adeyanju stated.
However, while celebrating the milestone, Adeyanju called on the judiciary to complement such efforts by urgently reforming sentencing practices. He urged courts across the country to adopt non-custodial sentencing—particularly for first-time and non-violent offenders—as a sustainable alternative to incarceration.
“We must rethink how we punish. Structured daily engagement such as community service or participation in vocational programmes should be the preferred sentencing option for minor offenders. These individuals should not be housed overnight in custodial facilities; instead, their correction should be built on accountability, skill development, and reintegration,” he asserted.
Adeyanju also emphasized the need to scale up such open custodial models nationwide to reduce prison congestion and break the cycle of criminal hardening that occurs when petty offenders are mixed with hardened criminals.
He concluded by stating that a justice system serious about reform must prioritize second chances, describing the Kaduna initiative as “a shining example of what is possible when innovation and empathy guide correctional policy.”
