By Sallieu S. Kanu
Makeni, Sierra Leone, April 26, 2025—In line with the Reformation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration program of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS), a total of 39 inmates from the Northeast Region Correctional Centres, including Makeni Male & Female, Mafanta, and Magburaka Correctional Centres, have graduated from the University of Makeni (UNIMAK).
The graduation ceremony, held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the lives of the inmates. After successfully completing six months of training, the graduates received certificates in various fields, including Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, Carpentry, and Tailoring.
Empowering Inmates Through Skills Development
The training program, a collaboration between SLCS and UNIMAK, aims to provide inmates with life-changing opportunities by equipping them with the skills needed for meaningful reintegration into society. These developmental skills are intended to empower the graduates to become self-sufficient, gain employment, and lead productive lives post-incarceration.
Graduation Breakdown
- Certificates in Community Development and Entrepreneurship: 29 graduates (including 3 women)
- Certificates in Community Development and Entrepreneurship with Specialization in Tailoring: 8 graduates
- Certificates in Community Development and Entrepreneurship with Specialization in Carpentry: 2 graduates
- Total Graduates: 39
A Transformative Initiative
This initiative reflects the SLCS’s commitment to transforming lives and reducing recidivism by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior through education and vocational training. It is expected that these efforts will positively impact the lives of inmates and contribute to the development of their communities upon reintegration.
The partnership between SLCS and UNIMAK exemplifies how education and skill-building can serve as powerful tools for personal transformation and societal progress.
©️SLCS OUTREACH UNIT.