NGO provides a lifeline for inmates

Giving people access to justice was the reason why Funke Adeoye chose a law career. She also established the Hope Behind Bars Africa NGO to provide free access to legal services for prison inmates in Nigeria. The organisation also arranges their rehabilitation. The idea was conceived after she wrote her thesis on prison reforms and intervention in Nigeria. ‘I was horrified by what I saw. Many prisoners are very poor and don’t have access to justice. When I spoke to other lawyers, they were interested in doing something but needed a platform,’ she told Africa Legal. Hope Behind Bars began work long before it was officially registered this year, with its headquarters at Abuja. The organisation also works with volunteers at Umuahia in Abia State, Niger State and Nasarawa State. Volunteer paralegals and lawyers wanting to work with inmates can do so through the organisation. ‘When we receive authorisation, our volunteers visit the prison and conduct an initial interview to determine the profiles of the inmates, then we prepare their reports. From there our lawyers choose who to work with and proceed,’ Adeoye added.