I just came back from Thika prison, and I really need to share what I learnt today.

What a lot of people don't realise is those that are in prison are some of the MOST vulnerable in society. They are illiterate and poor. Some walk out of court not even understanding what sentence they were given, and how many years they are going into prison for. Some have never seen a lawyer. One inmate told me "the difference between us being in here and others walking outside is a good lawyer, but we didn't have the money to afford any". Going in to prison often involves a lot of bad luck and bad choices. All of a sudden people's worlds crash. They lose all hope. Some are wrongfully accused. Some haven't even been charged and are being held on remand for as long as 5 years!

This is where African Prisons Project steps in.

They aim to restore hope and dignity to prisoners by placing the power of the law in the hands of the poor. They have partnered with University of London and some inmates are given the opportunity to study law, and come out with law degrees. They then use their legal knowledge to help these vulnerable people - either to reduce their sentence, or even to over turn it.

These are some of the statistics:
106 auxillary paralegals;
39 students across 8 prisons;
2 LLB graduates.

From January to July 2018, there have been:
3,007 clients servced;
136 clients acquitted;
295 bail/bond reductions;
102 Alternative Dispute Resolution Cases;
523 clients released.

I met some of the inmates today and they shared their success stories. One of them told us he was sentenced to 21 years in jail. He said when he was younger, his parents and teachers always thought he was one of the brightest people and would be one of the fortunate ones who would attend university. But he got in to the wrong company as a teenager. He starting smoking and drinking. He disappointed the people who believed in him. He was an alcoholic and he eventually got involved in drugs. He said his addiction consumed his life.

He was married and had three kids. And when he would come home and be drunk out of his mind, his wife used to care for him the way she did for their kids - she would wash him, and put him in bed. She was Christian and so loving and humble, and he took all of this for granted. He was barely in his senses and never understood what was happening around him.

Then he got arrested, leaving behind his family. He was still involved in drugs. He then got a call saying his second child passed away.

But he was too out of his senses to notice.

Sometime later, he heard his wife passed away. That’s when he had his awakening.

He had never understood how someone like her could be so humble and loving. He then started reading the Bible because she was Christian and what he realised was the Bible is a book that teaches you how to lead a noble life by emulating the life of Jesus Christ. He said that he decided to change himself. He decided to apply to become a teacher within the prison. When the other prisoners heard this, he said they laughed and could not believe it because he was probably the most unkempt and disgusting inmate.

Today, he is a law graduate from the University of London and whilst he still has a few years left to serve, he works to overturn the sentences of the other inmates. He said two things can change a person. One is religion and the other is education. He learnt religion through the Bible, and got an education because of APP. So APP does indeed restore hope and dignity to inmates, and I first handedly had the opportunity to witness that.

I understand that people may have reservations because they are criminals. But as a human being, isn't everyone entitled to fairness? At least they should get the right sentences or have the ability and opportunity to gain access to justice - especially if they are innocent and should be released.

But the inmates face challenges. There isn't enough space to study, they don't have enough law books, they don't have proper facilities (such as computers, papers, printers, to type and print their submissions to court). APP also needs funding to train the students (both prison officers and inmates).

If anyone is in a position to help, either through equipment or monetary funds, you could donate directly to APP via this link - https://africanprisons.org/donate/ , or you could message me and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person.

Alexander McLean (founder of APP) was there today and he said something so incredible - "may God bless us with enough foolishness to think we can make a difference".