The Astro-prison Consolidation is an astronomy-based programme which was sponsored by the International Astronomical Union-Office of Astronomy for Development in partnership with the Centre for Basic Space Science, Nsukka Nigeria, the Carmelite Prisoner’s Interest Organization (CAPIO), Enugu Nigeria and Servants of the Poor (SP), Nigeria. The project which took place in three Medium Correctional Centres in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria was executed by the project Team at Awka, the State Capital on: 4th, 5th and 6th October 2023; while that of Nnewi Medium Correctional Centre took place on: 11th, 12th and 13th October 2023. Finally, the last event was held at the Onitsha Correctional Centre on 25th, 26th and 27th October 2023. It is important to note that these Correctional Centres are operating within one Correctional Centre Command in Anambra State.
The team reached a total of three hundred and seventy-five inmates and two infants. It is also important to note that of all the three Correctional Centre visited; only the Onitsha Correctional Centre houses female inmates with a total of seventy-two female inmates, while two of the inmates are nursing infants.
Initial engagements with CAPIO were made to secure the necessary approvals. With the approval secured, the following activities were carried out in these selected Medium Correctional Centres:
a.) Opening Ceremony and Introductory Session of the aim of OAD towards the value re-orientation of Correctional Centre Inmates in Nigeria. This was moderated by Dr. C. N Ofodum with the assistance of other Project Team members from WAROAD Office in Nigeria.
b.) Medical outreach for the inmates. The medical outreach was carried out by a Team of Doctors (General Surgeon and Optometrist), Nurses, Pharmacists and other Health Professionals that were made possible through the assistance of the CAPIO. In all, the medical team attended to a total of 375 inmates with various ailments
c.) Presentations on astro-related topics which include:
(i) Light pollution/Dark Sky Conservation.
. (ii) Business of Astro-tourism and its potentials.
(iii) Science diplomacy through the Concept of Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan.
(iv) The Solar System
d.) Entrepreneurship training for inmates. The project team, through the services of Mekachi Agro Ventures, Enugu State, executed the workshops on snail farming and beekeeping that were targeted at the inmates and some interested warders. During this part of our project execution, inmates were divided into smaller groups of about 15 persons each. Of course, we are of the strong belief that talking to the inmates in smaller number during this practical aspect of the program will be more effective and efficient for the expected knowledge transfer. Again, it is important to note that two snail farms were established in each of the three Correctional Centres visited at the end of the workshop. While the two Snail farms at Onitsha Correctional Centre go to the male and female inmates apiece, that of Awka and Nnewi correctional centre went to the male inmates since they had no female inmates serving in those two Centres. In all, the participants that benefited from this training were well over 375 because most of the Correctional Centre Warders participated in the training, although they were not among our originally targeted audience. Nevertheless, lecture handouts were provided for all the participants for easy reference because we made extra provision for that base on our previous experience during Astro-prison project 2021.
d.) Delivery of sanitary and other toiletries to inmates at the point of their medical consultations in all the three Correctional Centres. The deliveries include: 15 cartons of: toilet soap, Laundry soap, Detergents, Antiseptics as well as Toilet tissues, assorted drinks, snacks and food which were shared among the three Correctional Centres. And delivery of 2 cartons of sanitary pads were delivered to female inmates at the Onitsha Correctional Centre (the only Correctional Centre that houses female inmates).
Outcomes
The outcome of Astro-prison consolidation in Nigeria showed that the project had succeeded in:
a.) Raising the level of awareness on astronomy education at the basic level in selected Nigerian Correctional Centres, taking into account their different levels of educational background. This is evident in the number of post-programme invitations we have so far received for similar programme to be executed in two (2) other correctional centres from Asaba in a neighbouring State of Delta.
b.) Helping Nigerian Government to achieve appropriate reform for correctional centre inmates prior to their re-integration into the larger society using the concept of Pale-blue-dot. This is evident in the post programme response of most of the participants who agreed not to get involved in any crime that will bring them back to jail. Thus, the programme has served as a mediator between the inmates and the society at large.
c.) Improved the well-being of the inmates that are still in jail. .
d.) Boosted the morale of all inmates and prepared them for a more responsible life after their incarceration through strategic skill transfer/development.
e.) Ensured that the astro-prison project is scaled-up to the national level.