At the inaugural National Ex‑Convicts Reintegration Conference, organised by the Crime Check Foundation, former inmates recounted the harsh reality of life after release. Many said their prison histories had led to broken marriages, abandoned families and continued stigma from society.
One man, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that his wife left him because of his past. “Life after prison has been extremely difficult. My wife left me because of my prison history. Today, I struggle to feed myself and my children. And I have no other place to sleep except seeking shelter in the slum,” he said. He added that he and many of his peers face abandonment, employment denial and social ostracism.
Participants highlighted that while inmates are encouraged to reform during incarceration, the support systems break down once they re-enter the community. The stigma attached to imprisonment makes it hard to secure jobs, restore relationships and find stable housing. Some are forced to work or provide in-kind payments to settle debts, or risk being pushed back into hardship.
The Crime Check Foundation is calling for former prisoners to be recognised as returning citizens rather than labelled ex‑convicts. The organisation urges the government and civil society to create policies that facilitate reintegration, reduce stigma and provide tangible support for those who have served their sentences.
As the conference closed, speakers warned that without systemic change, many ex‑convicts may be trapped in a cycle of poverty and marginalisation, undermining national efforts to promote social cohesion and public safety.
