University of Makeni Hosts Fourah Bay College Staff to Showcase “Learning Behind Bars” Program
Valentine Benjamin Conteh The University of Makeni (Unimak) recently welcomed staff from the Departments of Human Kinetics and the Division of Extra Mural Studies of Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone (USL), to share insights from its successful Learning Behind Bars initiative at Makeni Correctional Centre.
Mr. Unisa Patrick Kamara (UPK), Dean of Social Sciences and Coordinator of the program, provided background on the university’s founding and growth in research, teaching, and community service. He explained that the program, initiated in 2018 with 17 participants, was designed in collaboration with correctional officers to extend Unimak’s community engagement to inmates.
Since its inception, the program has graduated three cohorts: 22 participants in 2019, 27 in 2023, and 53 in 2024, comprising both inmates and correctional officers. Graduates have leveraged the certificates for employment, further studies, and income-generating skills. Mr. Kamara emphasized that the program runs without external funding, relying on voluntary contributions from university staff, with support from Vice Chancellor Rev. Fr. Prof. Joseph A. Turay.
Mr. Kenneth A.K. Kelly, Manager of Makeni Male Correctional Centre, praised Unimak’s contribution to transforming the correctional facility into a rehabilitative learning environment. He noted that Unimak handles human resources and teaching support, while the center provides logistics and infrastructure improvements.
Unimak Registrar Mr. Foday Augustine Bangura expressed the university’s readiness to collaborate with other institutions in Sierra Leone to enhance learning outcomes and community engagement.
The FBC delegation, led by Mr. Augustine A. Garmoh, HOD of the Division of Extra Mural Studies, expressed gratitude and pledged to replicate the initiative at USL. Mr. Francis S. Alpha, HOD of Human Kinetics and Sports, highlighted the commitment from USL leadership to ensure the program’s success.
Finally, Shebora Samba Kamara, Unimak’s Public Relations Officer and lecturer at the correctional center, noted that the success stories continue to motivate staff and may attract further support to sustain the initiative.