On January 18th, 2024, our team arrived at the Female Custodial Centre with donations in hand, ready to bring some much-needed support and hope to the women inmates.
Most importantly, We provided legal clinics, allowing us to listen to their individual cases and document them for further action.
At WIPSI, we are committed to ensuring access to justice for women in incarceration, and these visits presents the needed opportunity to understand their unique challenges firsthand.
In the course of the legal clinic, we also took the opportunity to fellowship with the incarcerated women, offering them a sense of community and connection. We believe that fostering a supportive environment is vital to their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society after serving their sentence(s).
Following our visit to the Female Custodial Centre at Kirikiri, we made our way to honor an official visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honorable Justice Kazeem Alogba. During our meeting, we engaged in a fruitful discussion about the complex challenges faced within the correctional center system, as well as the promising opportunities for improvement.
The honorable chief judge, Justice Alogba, provided valuable insights and recommendations to address the issue of congestion in correctional facilities. He advised WIPSI to collaborate with corporate bodies and encourage the involvement of pro bono services. By forging partnerships with these entities.
He further on pledged his commitment to ensuring we work together to alleviate overcrowding in correctional centers and ensure a more humane environment for incarcerated women.
Furthermore, Justice Alogba highlighted the importance of equipping incarcerated women with vocational training programs. These initiatives would provide them with valuable skills that enhance their chances of successful reintegration into society upon release. At WIPSI, we recognize the transformative power of education and skills development and are committed to implementing such programs to empower these women for a brighter future.
In addition to physical and educational support, Chief Judge Alogba emphasized the significance of addressing the mental health needs of incarcerated women. To this end, he recommended the provision of mental health support and counseling services within correctional facilities. By prioritizing their psychological well-being, we can contribute to their overall rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
WIPSI wholeheartedly embraces His Lordship’s recommendations and follow up action has already commenced to advocate for improved conditions, access to justice, and rehabilitation opportunities for incarcerated women. by collaborating with relevant and interested corporate bodies and other passionate volunteers, we believe that positive change is within reach.
We invite more stakeholders, corporate bodies, and individuals who share our vision to join us in this noble cause. Together, we can pave the way for a more justice system that truly delivers justice and not merely judgements. We are surely on the march towards the realization of correctional systems that are truly corrective and establishment of rehabilitation initiatives for successful reintegration of previously incarcerated women.
Remember, at WIPSI, we are committed to supporting women to prevent incarceration, help those that are unjustly incarcerated and provide them with access to justice. We tirelessly work with the establishment to see to balanced correctional measures and rehabilitation post sentence.
Together, let’s make a difference!
