Dignity and hope for prisoners
through health, education and justice
African Prisons Project (APP) is a young charity founded to improve the welfare, health and education of detainees in Africa. We aim to restore the dignity of prisoners by providing humane conditions and improving welfare, access to medical facilities and the opportunity to learn. Our principal projects are the creation or refurbishment of prison clinics and libraries.
Africa is a continent in transition, and its problems are magnified within its detention systems. The plight of detainees is rarely noticed; therefore they receive little help from charitable organisations. Yet they include the most downtrodden and vulnerable - babies imprisoned with their mothers, the mentally ill, children and the illiterate.
In general, the conditions in African prisons are painfully poor. Many are severely overcrowded, lack sanitation and are unable to provide adequate nutrition. Access to books and education is limited or non-existent. Medical facilities are wholly inadequate. Few countries have universal access to legal representation, whilst many retain the death penalty and corporal punishment. Prison sentences can be significantly longer than in developed countries and it is not unusual to spend long periods in prison without trial.
Since its foundation, APP has been run by young volunteers - students and young professionals who want to make a difference. Increasingly we are supported by our advisors and partners. We provide school leavers and those from a variety of backgrounds with the opportunity to gain experience and skills by assisting a project in Africa. Our volunteers then act as ambassadors when they return home.
Welcome
Urgent: If you give to APP now, your donation may be doubled. More info here.
Letter from Africa - Winter 2009
New! Read the latest edition of our newsletter, Letter from Africa.
(You can also read back issues.)
Download APP’s 2009 update here
Read details of upcoming projects!
Special Report: Mitigation Workshop – Luzira Women’s Prison
By Barrie Sander
Special Report: Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill advocates death penalty
By Kerry Akers
Special Report: TB in Luzira
By Rowan Emslie
Special Report: Mental health and the death penalty
By Kerry Akers
Special Report: Visit from Chris Rwakasisi
By Rowan Emslie
Special Report: Education in Prisons
By Rowan Emslie and Kerry Akers
APP on Facebook
Find us on Facebook to discover more about African Prisons Project (you need a Facebook account to view this page).
Freedom Cry, a CD by Condemned Choirs
African Prisons Project have produced a CD of songs performed by Condemned Choirs, death row inmates in Luzira Prison, Uganda. Read more information about Freedom Cry.
Now you can follow African Prisons Project updates on Twitter!
Latest news
04 Jan 2010Mitigation Workshop at Luzira Women’s Prison
In December 2009, Barrie Sander conducted a mitigation workshop for the 29 prisoners on death row at Luzira Women’s Prison. More...
17 Dec 2009Female inmates welcome literacy programme
APP this week commenced a functional adult literacy programme at the Victoria Women’s Prison at the Luzira prison complex that houses over 600 inmates. More...
12 Dec 2009APP Presentation at Race for Justice Conference
APP volunteer Olamide Olajide recently gave a presentation about APP at the Race for Justice Conference organised by the Society of Black Lawyers and the National Association of Probation Officers. More...
11 Dec 2009African Prisons Project celebrates a positive year
African Prisons Project yesterday held its annual general meeting for 2008-2009. The event marked an opportunity to review the charity’s activities in the past year, receive the formal accounts, and to hear of APP’s ambitious plans for 2010. More...