June 3, 2021
The Officer- in- Charge of the Makeni Correctional Centre, Superintendent Salieu Turay has said that he and the Regional Commander North- East are seriously engaging in outreach activities in a bid to draw needed support for the construction of a permanent classroom structure for inmates’ learning within the Centre.
Supt. Turay heaped words of praise on the University of Makeni for having generously provided University education to inmates lodged in the Makeni Correctional Centre.
“Our partnership with the Unimak has placed us on the map of importance in offender management. In early 2020, sixteen inmates were admitted into the Unimak to study for a twin certificate course in Community Development Studies & Entrepreneurship, but only eleven passed the final exams.”
He noted that though the Unimak did provide some learning materials and make- shift classroom structure for the inmates, he thought it would be wise for them to solicit support from other organizations.
Disclosing that the centre had gone as far as implanting the foundation of a permanent classroom structure, Mr. Turay said he did some project write- ups which stimulated the interest of some organizations, such as NaCSA had indicated that they will throw support behind the project and saw that it came to fruition.
“Now my dream of achieving a full time University education for inmates is beginning to see light of day. The next crop of students we will be fielding in for courses at the Unimak will be inclusive of all centres that have inmates who meet the qualifications to enroll. We will engage Unimak to see if they can offer not just certificate courses, but diploma and degree too.”
The Regional Commander North-East, Mr. Christian Sisay quoted No. 88 of the Mandela Rules (Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners), admitting that the Correctional Service alone cannot cure criminal behavior. He stressed the need for multi- sectorial approach in stamping out crime in society.
Mr. Sisay furthered that the Unimak had led the way, but that should not stop other universities and Technical Vocational Institutes from rendering necessary help to the Correctional Service.