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• Female inmates of Ebonyi correctional centre flaunt life-changing experience in jail
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
In the twilight of last year, a remarkable event happened at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, Ebonyi State, which changed the future of some of the inmates.
No fewer than 50 female inmates benefitted from a life-changing training organised by a non-governmental organisation, Female Inmates and Returned Citizens (FIRC) with support from Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO).
The inmates were highly elated; they thanked God that their imprisonment had turned to a huge blessing. They said that the skills they acquired have made them become self-reliant in life.
According to them, those that caused them to be in jail thought they had stopped them from being useful to themselves, their families and the society.
The inmates were either idle or doing nothing tangible to earn a living before they were taken to the correctional centre for various offences. But their joy is overflowing now after undergoing intensive training in sanitary pad production.
They were trained by Loveth Effiong, an ex-inmate in one of the prisons in the country.
Effiong told Saturday Sun at the Abakaliki correctional centre that she was very glad to train the inmates, being an ex-inmate.
She disclosed that having their attention was the biggest challenge she encountered in the training as most of them did not show interest originally but later picked much interest after being convinced.
“I feel happy, I feel joy training the female inmates because I don’t want them to return to what took them to the prison when they are discharged.
“This washable pad has impacted my life in so many ways, taking me to so many places which I never expected in my life.
“Having the attention of the inmates was one of the challenges I encountered because most of them never wanted to learn.
“It’s a washable pad, it’s hygienic. It’s used for seven/eight months. It is used for three times a month and it is affordable.
“We are here for God to correct us, not to corrupt us, we are here for correction and not for corruption. I made these female inmates to understand that I was the rejected person and if not for God and Female Inmates Returned Citizens, I wouldn’t have become somebody in my life. There are many of them I taught how to sew clothes and they picked up,” she said.
One of the inmates, Tina Nweze said most of her colleagues had no hand work before they were taken to the prisons and commended the NGO for training them.
To them, they have felt the true meaning of correctional centre as against the impression that the place was solely for punishment.
Nweze said: “Those that took us to this prison thought they have restricted our lives. They thought they have dealt with us but our coming to this prison has become a blessing for us. If we were in our various homes, we wouldn’t have learned this sanitary pad production.
“We thank FIRC. Most female inmates here have no hand work before coming here. Some of them are thinking where they will start life from if they leave this correctional centre, but they have seen where to start, they have been trained and equipped to start a better life if they leave here.
“God has used you people as instrument. What we have learned here will assist us a lot and our families, if we leave here. We are very happy and we cannot thank you people enough.”
The Programme Officer of FIRC, Godwin Ugbor, described the training as a rare opportunity for the female inmates and urged them to hold what they learned tightly to become self-reliant outside the correctional centre.
“As I see you leaving this place, I want to see you run with this vision. Don’t go and begin to live on sympathy. We have seen some ex-inmates live on sympathy, they want to return to ways that are not good but that is why we do our best to encourage you, to empower you so that when you leave, you will be independent financially.
“This is a rare opportunity. I observed one of you saying ‘they thought they have done me bad by dumping me in the prison but they have dumped me to my place of blessing.’ Loveth, your trainer was once one of you. She is doing well today and has trained many female inmates since she came out of prison.
“This project is implemented by Female Inmates and Returned Citizens (FIRC). CAPIO is involved because we are bringing support because doing programme involves high level of knowledge and that is what CAPIO is bringing while training FIRC members to take over the running of FIRC.
“So, in 2022, we established FIRC and it has been doing projects. This project has been done in Lagos where Loveth, the trainer came from, done in Enugu State, Delta, Abia, Rivers, Anambra, Plateau and other states of the federation.
“I am hoping that when next we come to Abakaliki, it will not be washable sanitary pads. CAPIO is not a normal NGO, it is an apostolate, meaning that we are concerned with the welfare of people. If somebody takes up this challenge and wants to run with it, we will equally be there to support you even when you have learned this work. We will always do what is within our powers to support you,” Ugbor explained.
A representative of the funding organisation, CAPIO, Rev Fr. Philip Gosimo, said the body was concerned about the well-being of female inmates at the centre.
His words: “CAPIO is not just an NGO that visits people, clothing people, CAPIO gives life and purpose. If anyone gives you life and purpose, the person is concerned not just about your physical being but the person is concerned about your soul from that life as well. And so, that is why what we are doing to you is not just for physical sustenance, we are here to also make your life better.
“When you go out, keep working, use it, it’s a skill. If you cannot start alone, you can collaborate, two persons can come together, open a shop and start something. So, if you cannot stand alone, stand with somebody, don’t say you can’t do it alone. We will continue to lend our support to Abakaliki correctional centre in whatever way we can be of help,” the priest stated.
Amid the encomiums and celebration, the inmates were issued certificates after the training.
