Foundation empowers inmates skills to earn income behind bars

Hope Behind Bars Africa has complemented the federal government with a vocational skills centre to reform inmates at the Dukpa correctional farm centre located at Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The body established a new complex in the Correctional facility and equipped it with five brand new sewing machines as well as two industrial machines, five stools, two wall fans, one large table and one cupboard, and other sewing materials – all aimed 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.

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 (NCS) as funds raised for Inmates to take the WAEC and NECO exams, as part of the ongoing #LearningBehindBars crowdfunding campaign.

At the launch on Wednesday in Abuja, the the Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Oluwafunke Adeoye,
noted that the project forms part of Hope Behind Bars Africa’s Inside Out Hub, a program that aims to rehabilitate, reform, and reintegrate persons behind bars.

According to Adeoye, the Inside Out Hub creates in-prison opportunities for female and low-risk male inmates to acquire in-demand vocational and tech skills, earn income behind bars, and advance their educational and entrepreneurial prospects.

“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 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.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, Assistant Controller of FCT Command, Mr. Charles Ogwude, commended the body for the initiative and urged the custodial centre to take full advantage of the opportunity.

“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 Nigerian Correctional Service at heart.”

He 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 speaking, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola lauded the Inside Out Hub initiative saying: “The Inside Out Hub will help people behind bars earn income when they are inside and when they get out. I would like to commend the founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, Funke Adeoye for this initiative, her story is one of resilience and passion which we rarely see.”

On his part, the Senior Advisor of the United States Embassy in Abuja, Shaun Gavin encouraged Hope Behind Bars Africa to continue their reformation efforts, saying: “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. Funke 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.”