The Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) in partnership with Ford Foundation, commissioned a newly established Library facility for inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos State.
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The event which took place on Friday the 17th of December, 2021, was attended by the Deputy Controller of Correction, DCC Ayoola Opadeji, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, Supt. Rotimi Oladokun, Director of Public Prosecution, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, Head of Rehabilitation, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Kemi Ottun, a Representative of the Ford Foundation, Adesuwa Ighile, Officers and inmates of the Correctional Centre.
Speaking at the event Adesuwa Ighile noted that the Ford Foundation has been in Nigeria since 1956 working to end poverty, inequality and to promote human welfare.
She added that the foundation has worked at various levels in the Nigerian justice sector and was happy to partner with CELSIR on the project which gives an opportunity to support inmates because they are often excluded.
She expressed optimism that the provision of the facility will empower inmates with the right knowledge to help change their lives for the better.
CELSIR’s Executive Director, Joke Aladesanmi expressed gratitude to God and all in attendance at the event.
She noted that CELSIR has the mandate to provide legal and rehabilitation support aimed at equipping inmates in psychosocial and life skills necessary for a positive and productive lifestyle.
“As criminal defense lawyers who have had opportunity of representing several inmates, CELSIR discovered that the assistance needed by inmates exceeds legal representation and must include effective and efficient rehabilitation.
“CELSIR has previously partnered with the Correctional centre to provide educational and mental support to the inmates including trainings for inmates writing GCE, donating solar power to the centre and preparatory educational materials to be used by the inmates.”
Mrs. Aladesanmi further noted that the Prison library has a high tendency of bringing positive development to the Prisons which is notable in some developed countries. She noted that the availability of reading materials may help provide insight into their own actions and is an effective way to engage the inmates.
She further noted that the 21-user library has various books across different genres and also has an e-library section with resources for undergraduate studies at the National Open University of Nigeria.
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