Group Urges Senate President To Enact Law Protecting Rights Of Spouses Of Inmates

The Delta Take It Back Movement, a prominent civil society organization, has urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio to champion a law ensuring the rights of spouses of inmates to conjugal visits and social protection in Nigeria.

Speaking in press conference in Warri, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, the movement’s leader, emphasized the need for legislative action to address the long-standing neglect of inmates’ families, who face stigma, discrimination, and hardship due to their loved ones’ incarceration.

“The rights of spouses and children of inmates are frequently violated, leading to emotional distress, marital strain, physical health issues, mental health concerns, loss of intimacy, increased recidivism risk, and human rights violations,” Aghogho said.

“This proposed law seeks to address these issues by providing conjugal visits, social protection, and economic empowerment for inmates’ families, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards.”

ALSO READ: Leadership Across Borders: Gov. Soludo’s Rising Impact

The proposed law aims to:

– Provide regular conjugal visits to maintain marital relationships and family bonds, as guaranteed by Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution
– Offer financial support, education, and healthcare for inmates’ families, as provided for in the National Health Act and the Child Rights Act
– Provide skills acquisition programs, employment opportunities, and microfinance schemes for inmates’ families, in line with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria Act

Aghogho emphasized that denying married inmates conjugal visits and intimacy can have severe physical and emotional implications, including anxiety, depression, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased immune function, and increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders, and suicide, as documented in the Nigerian Prison Service records.

The movement also urged the Senate President and Senator Akpabio to prioritize this critical legislation, promoting human rights and dignity for all citizens, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.

“We appeal to the Senate President and Senator Akpabio to use their offices to ensure the passage of this law, upholding human rights and dignity for all, including those affected by incarceration,” Aghogho concluded.