Schooling in prison

Education for offenders in Nigeria

A project to improve the situation of prisoners in Nigerian jails is an example of Umverteilen!′s cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung. The Heinrich Böll Stiftung took up the cause of Nigerian prisoners′ desolate situation even during the military dictatorship. Poetry readings opened the door for contacts to prison management and inmates.

The contacts were expanded by the NGO Centre of Excellence for Literacy Education (CELLE). Many of its members are on the faculty of Ife University.
(contact: conukaogu@yahoo.com)

Based on the positive experience of the poetry readings, a project was initiated in cooperation with dedicated guards that enabled prisoners to complete their primary education.

At this point, members of CELLE, a volunteer organization, also inform prisoners of their rights and support their rehabilitation after release from prison. For example, they facilitate contact with people who provide bank guarantees for former prisoners or help them find jobs.

The goal is also to raise public awareness about the often still precarious situation in Nigerian prisons and to achieve long-term improvement by influencing politicians.