The Hope Behind Bars Africa, a non-governmental organisation, has launched a vocational skills centre at the Dukpa Correctional Farm Centre, Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT for inmates.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday in Abuja, the Executive Director, of the organisation, Ms Oluwafunke Adeoye said that the initiative was part of the organisation’s efforts to support the rehabilitation of inmates.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre, equipped with seven sewing machines comprising of two industrial sewing machines and five manual sewing machines.
Others are a big storage wardrobe, two wall fans, clothing materials and other sewing materials aims to equip the inmates with skills to enable them to become self-reliant after their release.
Adeoye said that the launch formed part of the organisation’s “Inside Out Hub”, a program which aimed to rehabilitate, reform and reintegrate persons behind bars.
She said that the “Inside Out Hub” created in-prison opportunities for female and low-risk male inmates to acquire in-demand vocational and tech skills, earn income behind bars and advanced their educational and entrepreneurial prospects.
According to her, the new complex established and equipments donated today aim at creating an avenue for incarcerated persons to learn a skill that will aid their transition into society and also earn while serving their terms.
“I am so delighted that today is finally happening. Through the Inside Out Hub, we ensure that prison reform is sustainable.
“Some officers have been trained on how to sew and would in turn be training the inmates in Dukpa Correctional Farm centre. If we do all we can in our own little way, we will have a country we can be proud of.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Nigerian Correctional Service(NCoS) for partnering with us on this initiative.”
“This is just one of many ‘Inside Out Hubs’ we intend to establish in correctional centres across the country. In March this year, we renovated a similar hub at Suleja Custodial Centre in Niger state.
“This will not only increase the inmates chances of financial independence but also bolster their self-confidence and reduce recidivism rates.
“We are also working to create an E-commerce website so that the items produced by the hub can be displayed for the public to purchase,” Adeoye concluded.
Speaking, Assistant Controller, NCoS, FCT Command, Mr. Charles Ogwude, commended the organisation for the initiative and urged the custodial centre to take full advantage of this opportunity.
Ogwude said “So many organisations have applied for such interventions but did not fulfil their promise, but Hope Behind Bars Africa applied, they have brought it to fruition and we are very grateful.
“This shows that they really have love for the NCoS at heart,”he said.
He, however, encouraged the officer in charge of Dukpa Correctional Farm Centre saying “to whom much is given, much is expected.
“Use this facility to ensure that all inmates in your custody are rehabilitated.”
Also, Ms Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, commended the “Inside Out Hub” initiative.
Abiola believed that the initiative would help people behind bars earn income when they were inside and when they get out.
“I would like to commend the founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa for this initiative, her story is one of resilience and passion which we rarely see,”she said.
Meanwhile, Rafiat Atanda, representing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC) congratulated the organisation on the Launch of the skills centre saying it would address the link between poverty and crime.
“This will give persons in conflict with the law a second chance at life and opportunity for a brighter future,”she said.
In his goodwill message, the Senior Advisor of the United States Embassy in Abuja, Shaun Gavin encouraged the organisation to continue their reformation efforts.
Gavin said “today marks a significant milestone in the reintegration and reformation of inmates. As a former corrections officer, I understand how poverty can influence crime.
“This launch would not have been possible without collaboration from the Ministry of Interior, donor agencies and members of the diplomatic community.
“To Ms. Oluwafunke Adeoye, we are truly proud of you and your growth. Through your organisation you have supported over 8,000 persons across 12 correctional facilities in Nigeria. By providing this vocational skills hub, we are offering the inmates a second chance,”he said.
NAN reports that Hope Behind Bars Africa officially handed over the workshop to the Nigerian Correctional Service in a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Controller of FCT, Mr. Ibrahim Usman.
Following the event, the organisation also presented a cheque of N2.5 million to the Controller of FCT, Ibrahim Usman at FCT Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service, as funds raised for inmates to take the WAEC and NECO exams, as part of the ongoing #LearningBehindBars crowdfunding campaign.
NAN reports that the event was attended by the Executive Director, Public Awareness on the Rights and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Persons Initiative (PARRVPI), Mrs. Ogechi Ogu, Esq. and ROLAC/International IDEA representative, Chinasa Chimalu.
Also represented at the event were the Ministry of Youth development and Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO).
