International Relations Policy Statement
The Zambia Prisons Library Project
Career Development Group International is a partner on the African Prisons Project (APP). Its objective is the promotion of education and health in African Prisons, through the construction of libraries and renovation of medical facilities within the prison environment.
The Zambia Prisons Library Project launch took place on Wednesday 4th July 2007 at CILIP HQ. The founder of APP and UK Charity Volunteer of the Year 2006, Alexander McLean, spoke with candour of the conditions that exist in these institutions. Anyone sceptical about whether we should be contributing to such a campaign would have been hard pushed to maintain that stance as all preconceptions were washed away the moment Alexander started talking.
He advised that prisoners are kept in appalling conditions. Many ill with AIDS or TB. Diseases prevail due to malnutrition, lack of hygiene, clean water and adequate health care. The overcrowded prisons are controlled by brutal regimes and gang rape is rife. Zambia has the most overcrowded prisons in Africa.
Alexander explained that many of the prisoners are locked up for years for petty offences such as stealing a mango or held for a variety of reasons and never charged. Some never have the opportunity to be tried in court. Many want to educate themselves but have little opportunity. This affects any ability they might have of leading a meaningful life when they are released.
The APP is partnering with the forward thinking Zambian Prisons Service and the British High Commission in Lusaka to develop a Prisons Hospital, a Day Care Centre, and a Central Prisons Library, which the Career Development Group International is supporting. Alexander McLean was presented with a £2,000 cheque to start the library building work. The Group continues fundraising for the Zambia Prisons Project.
The September issue CILIP's Library + Information Update and the Impact Autumn 2007 issue has a full report.
*Latest update:*
Unfortunately, work in Zambia had been delayed until later this year due to the retirement of the Commissioner of Prisons, and the change over to a new Commissioner. However, we hope to resume work once he has settled into the post.
For regular updates on the project, visit the African Prisons Project website http://www.africanprisons.com and Alexander's blog: http://www.scottmelhuish.com/africanprisonsblog/
Tracey Ainsley
Honorary International Officer
E-mail: tracey.ainsley@unn.ac.uk