As part of reforming and changing the narrative of inmates in the country, the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR), in partnership with Ford Foundation has commissioned a Mobile Library for the Correctional and Juvenile Centres in Lagos State.

Speaking during the commissioning, Executive Director, CELSIR, Joke Aladesanmi, stated that the project was executed a few months after the commissioning of the 21 User Library at the Medium Security Custodial Centre Ikoyi, Lagos.

She said that the mobile library is implemented under CELSIR’s Prison Library Project, which is one of the rehabilitation initiatives put in place by the organisation.

To her, rehabilitation is as important as legal support and both must go hand in hand to reduce the high rate of recidivism that threatens public safety.

She added that CELSIR has in the past partnered with the correctional facilities to provide educational and mental support to inmates.

She said under its educational support, CELSIR provides virtual classes for inmates that enrolled for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the General Certificate Examination (GCE).

She added that CELSIR also donated solar power for the smooth running of the virtual classes, while inmates were supported with examination preparatory resources, which have contributed to their outstanding academic results.

According to her, 70 per cent success was recorded in the 2022 JAMB exam, with an inmate scoring 313, the first in the history of the correctional facilities.

In view of the impacts and feedback received, she said CELSIR has deemed it fit to extend its intervention to more inmates across different correctional centres.

She noted that the Bus Serviced Library would convey educational, inspirational, informative and other resource materials to inmates in the five Correctional Centres and Juvenile homes in Lagos.

She reiterated that the initiative aims to provide inmates with contemporary and up-to-date materials as an alternative to the outdated resources available.

She said: “We believe that through this intervention, several inmates would have access to resources that would bring about mind transformation, educate the inmates and reduce recidivism.

“CELSIR also reiterates its commitment to inmates’ rehabilitation and would continue to give support through Education, Vocational Training and Life skills.”

Since its inception, CELSIR has advocated effective and efficient rehabilitation measures for Prison inmates.