When will we admit the justice system is failing us
Our justice system is neither punitive nor rehabilitative enough. It's time to confront the cracks before more lives are shattered.
At what point do we start being honest with ourselves, admitting that our justice system may not be punitive; not as rehabilitating as we need it to be.
When do we start questioning the level of effectiveness of the prison system, the measurements of rehabilitation and the issues considered in granting parole?
As of late, the failures of the justice system are seemingly rearing their ugly heads for all to see.
There are rapists who run the streets as if their actions have not affected their victims; murderers who served the bare minimum jail time and, now, their lives continue.
Nigerian televangelist Tim Omotoso and Anabela Rungo, the mother of former Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina, are some of the names that appear on court rolls. They leave us questioning the effectiveness of the justice system.
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To rectify this problem, we should be willing to reflect the mirror back to every member of society. The first mistake we made was to accept these barbaric behaviours because we have not been vocal enough in our collective pursuit for justice.
As a society, we should not be willing to accept the unacceptable. We should cease to excuse the inexcusable. Once we can do that, we can remedy the situation that gains traction from our silence.
Ultimately, society is the collateral damage of a country whose laws are lax and slow.
The granting of parole to undeserving detainees has spiked the number of reoffenders. People have played the system and, as a result, they are meant to assimilate back into society.
I figure that most of the parolees ate on time, woke up on time, said thank you and please to the correctional officers. They attended church services and did the odd job around the prisons.
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They basically carried their own weight and then someone concluded they are fit to be reintegrated into a society, which they may bleed to death with their bare hands.
This means the justice system requires an overhaul.
If judges, parole officers and social workers do not call into question their decisions, and if this does not make them wonder about the real intent of the people they release from prison, then nothing will ever.
We have more going out, possibly to come out unrehabilitated. Perhaps we need to really question the purpose of their incarceration and the requirements for their attainment of freedom.
We hope the National Prosecuting Authority always does better to serve justice and not only in the high-profile cases.
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