AFRICAN PRISONS PROJECTS
The African Prisons Project was founded by former University of Nottingham Law Student Alexander McLean. Their work is very worthwhile, as reflected by Alexander being awarded the 'UK Charity Volunteer of the Year 2006' honour by Prince Edward.
In their own words:
"The objective of the African Prisons Project is the promotion of education and health in African Prisons, through the construction of libraries and renovation of medical facilities within the prison environment. Fundamentally, we aim to offer hope and compassion to people who have been marginalized and abadoned by much of society. Though they may have committed crimes, more than half of prisoners have not had a trial. Those that are tried do not usually have a lawyer or jury and are frequently given the death penalty for crimes such as mutiny, cowardice and robbery."
We believe in rehabilitation, giving people a second chance and an oppurtunity to recognise and compensate for the past. One of the greatest obstacles to reform is that inmates very often leave prison in a far worse off position than when they entered it. With no professional prospects, no place to go, or even no clothes with which to return to their families, there is little choice for them to return to a life of crime. Thus, a vicious cycle perpetuates itself. It is this cycle we strive to break.
The work of the APP is ongoing with the plan to carry out extensive prison hospital and library refurbishments, covering the whole of Zambia, starting July 2007. Currently, inmates have acess to no inpatient medical facility, many women are left to give birth in prison cells and many inmates die in their cells too. We hope to oversee the construction of a 100,000 book library to provide books for inmates to prepare for A levels and O levels whilst in prison, as well as to learn about trades. A day care centre and creche will provide a place of respite for babies and children in prison with their mums, somewhere to go during the day to during the day to escape from the bars and guards and guns. To enable us to do so, We hope to raise 100,000 pounds as well as collect medical equipment, books, computers sports equipment and musical instruments.
“I do not believe that human beings lose their dignity just because they have entered prison”By an unknown prisoner in Kamiti Prison, Nairobi