WRAP UP OF JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS ON NON-CUSTODIAL MEETINGS IN OYO-STATE

In response to high congestion in Prisons and Covid-19 Pandemic, Gavel with support from Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, hosted the criminal Justice stakeholders in Oyo State on the 29^th of March,2021, 19^th of April, 2021 and 29^th of July, 2021 respectively with the view to passing the Oyo State Non-Custodial Sentencing Law.

This initiative was established to advocate the implementation of non-custodial sentencing to decongest correctional centres while giving the right punishment to offenders.

Non-custodial sentencing is a criminal sentence not requiring a prison sentence. It can be in form of a suspended sentence or probation based on the terms and verdict of the court.

 The new bill has been successfully reviewed and is set to be presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly and the State Government.