PRISON/CORRECTION CENTERS
Raham Foundation was honored to pay a visit to the Federal Correctional Centre located in Borokiri, Port Harcourt. This maximum-security facility is reported to be one of the largest in the country by inmate population, housing over four thousand individuals.
The prison population is often forgotten by the rest of society. It is not a place most people ever think to visit, and those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law can quickly feel helpless and hopeless. As part of Raham Foundation’s mission to “wipe the tears of the helpless needy,” we reached out to sponsors and volunteers and embarked on a prison visitation project.
Our Vision Coordinator led a team of volunteers, accompanied by our Coordinator for Prison Outreaches, Mr. Akaraka. The team came bearing clothes, toiletries, and hygiene supplies — including cartons of bathing and washing soap, detergents, hundreds of toothbrushes, cartons of toothpaste, and several bundles of toilet rolls. We also brought along snacks and other edibles.
With the exception of Mr. Akaraka, none of the volunteers had ever visited a correctional facility. The delegation arrived at the center at 9:00 a.m., as we had been informed that visiting hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We were warmly welcomed by the Chaplain, who gave us a brief orientation and guided us through the check-in and security procedures.
The atmosphere within the facility was quite different from what we had imagined. It was lively. Inmates, dressed in plain clothes, were engaged in various activities — some playing football, and one even creating a beautiful drawing in the sand. If one had been brought in unknowingly during visiting hours, they might not have realized it was a prison, aside from the high fences surrounding the premises.
After a brief stop at the welfare office, we proceeded to the chapel, where we witnessed a vibrant praise and worship session — more spirited than what is seen in many churches. The inmates sang, danced, and worshipped God with such joy and passion that it moved us deeply. The instrumentalists— from the keyboardist, drummer, guitarists, and singers — performed professionally, and were all inmates.
Following the worship session, we were invited to share God’s word and encourage the inmates via scripture. Though their physical freedom is restricted, we reminded them that they are not limited in many other ways. Our Prison Outreach Coordinator spoke on the topic “Decision for the Future,” encouraging them to make better choices, regardless of their past, and to use their time in the facility wisely — describing it as “a school with no teacher or blackboard.”
He also shared his powerful personal testimony: having once served seven years in the same correctional center, he entered unable to read or write. Despite ridicule from his cellmates, he resolved to learn from other inmates — and did. Now He is a learned evangelist. His story resonated deeply with those present.
Our welfare packages were distributed among the inmates and we learned about the center’s educational program. They requested support for learning materials, including exercise books, pens, erasers, pencils, and basic English and Mathematics textbooks. The facility also runs trade and craft training programs.
As visiting hours came to an end, we exited the chapel and the center with a renewed commitment to return. Due to time constraints, we were only able to visit the male section on this trip.
Raham Foundation is currently planning follow-up visits, with the goal of supporting the center’s education and literacy programs and visiting the female section with similar supplies. We are also seeking to partner with legal advisers to provide free legal representation to as many inmates as possible. A significant number of the prison population — over two thousand — are awaiting trial, many for several years due to the slow pace of justice.
It is our hope that this small act of mercy and kindness will bring hope and comfort to those imprisoned, especially to the innocents among them.
