Prison Library Project
The inception of our Prison Library Project in 2020 was prompted by firsthand observations of the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals in accessing educational and self-development resources. Recognizing the inadequacy of correctional facility libraries filled with outdated and irrelevant books, CELSIR, with the support of the Ford Foundation, took proactive steps.
Books have the power to change the lives of those who are imprisoned, giving them a chance to rebuild their futures.
Our initiatives and vision for the future
We aim to refurbish several libraries and extend our mobile library service to surrounding states, further expanding access to knowledge.
The launch of a state-of-the-art 21-user library at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre addressed the lack of reading materials for incarcerated individuals, exacerbated by the destruction of the only available library during the 2020 #EndSars jailbreak attempt. The library, inclusive of an e-library section, caters to those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the National Open University of Nigeria, now serving over 3000 justice-impacted persons with a daily usage exceeding 50 individuals.
We currently offer two key initiatives as part of our Prison Library Project:
Mobile Library
Since its commissioning, we have visited three (3) Medium Security Custodial Centers, one (1) Maximum Security Custodial Center, and two (2) Special Correctional Centers for Juveniles within Lagos State, Nigeria. Each center is provided with a thoughtfully curated set of books for a one-month duration before rotation. With approximately 3,000 books, a significant portion of which resulted from our highly successful Book Drives, it enhances the literary resources available to these centers. We envision refurbishing several libraries in the near future and extending our mobile bus rotation to neighboring states.
Book Club
This initiative was born out of a desire to create safe spaces where incarcerated women can engage with literature that challenges their thinking, nurtures self-discovery, and encourages critical reflection. The book club fosters rehabilitation, and reintegration by creating a space where women can explore literature, share their stories, learn from others, and rebuild their sense of self.
Our added e-library section supports academic pursuits for those incarcerated persons enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs through the National Open University of Nigeria.
Through this initiative, we offer intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and skill-building, empowering justice-impacted persons with knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose.
2500+
justice-impacted individuals served at Ikoyi Prison Library, with over 50 persons visiting daily
7000+
justice-impacted individuals served via our Mobile Library
80+
women impacted via our Book Club at the Female Custodial Facility
10000+
books distributed across correctional facilities in Nigeria
