My name is Curtis Okpara, I am a 400 level Law Student, from ABSU LAW CLINIC.
The
good innovation— Law Clinic, has been a blessing to me and most of my
colleagues, as we have been granted an avenue to witness participatory
the practical aspect of law, as opposed to the theoretical aspect, we
are being taught in the citadel of learning.
I
am a member of Umuahia Prisons Dept, hence I would restrict my
reflection to its happenings, Umuahia Prisons officials were
welcoming,as they completely bought the idea promoted by Law clinic,and
were of assistance the best they could.
I was opportune to witness a jail delivery conducted there and I came to the
realization that the under aged persons there, are overwhelming, ranging
from 14 years upwards. I also witnessed a woman,who said she is a
prostitute, and confessed to killing a police office unintentionally.
Before detention, she was pregnant, and at the time of the jail delivery
her child had already been delivered and was 4months old. Need I say
that, the jail delivery was conducted in the premise of the prison,the
arena was well guarded,and there was a medical practitioner in view,
basically because the jail delivery was for underage, the old,and the
sick.
Back to the prostitute story,so the court
in its wisdom sought the advise of the medical practitioner,on whether
the child will be able to survive the harsh conditions of the Prison,
because the mother was bent on not releasing her baby to the welfare
department of the Prison. Surprisingly the medical practitioner said the
child will, this led to an atmosphere of murmuring from the gallery.
The court asked the gallery on what they think is best in the situation. The gallery responded that she be released,and she was.
MY
THOUGHTS: WHOSE DECISION SHOULD BE TAKEN, ON WHETHER THE 4 MONTHS BABY
SHOULD STAY IN THE PRISON WITH THE MOTHER OR NOT,IS IT FOR THE WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF THE PRISON OR THE MOTHER?
WHO
SHOULD BE PUT INTO CONSIDERATION, IS IT THE BABY WHOSE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS
NOT YET STRONG,AND WHO IS PRONE TO ILLNESS,OR MIGHT EVEN DIE OR IS IT
HIS POOR MOTHER?
SHOULD THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT BE STRINGENT ON THEIR DECISION THAT THE BABY BE PUT SOMEWHERE SAFE?
I
Curtis Okpara, believe that it's only humane that the child be put into
consideration always,the welfare department should be stringent on
their decision that the baby be moved to a better place, having assured
and reassured the mother of the baby's safety and refer her to similar
situations (if there is),where the mother and child always reunite. A
proper innovation or avenue should be constructed in this stead,and if
there is anyone existing,it should be implemented, drastically. Apart
from the woman in question,there was also a woman with a 9month child.
Who knows if there are more situations like this in other Prisons or in
the same prison.
It's only apt,that at this
point we employ the element of imagery,and ask ourselves,if it is
appropriate that a child be raised in a prison premise/vicinity,that his
few months in planet earth be savaged from him. He didn't ask for it,he
just found himself in that bind.
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