By HeapNews
Inmates at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, Lagos, received a rare dose of care and compassion on Tuesday as the Headfort Foundation for Justice carried out a medical outreach tagged “Wellness Behind Bars.”
The initiative, supported by the Development, Research and Project Centre (DRPC), offered health checks, medical consultations, laboratory tests, drug dispensation, and mental health sessions to over 100 inmates.
Speaking at the event, Headfort Foundation’s Programmes Manager, Miss Oluwakemi Adenekan, said the outreach was borne out of the urgent need to bridge gaps in healthcare access for persons in custody.
“For us at Headfort Foundation, our work with wrongfully incarcerated individuals has shown us that one of the biggest challenges inmates face is lack of access to basic healthcare. This is why we decided to extend our services beyond legal aid to also include medical and mental health interventions,” Adenekan explained.
According to her, 75 inmates benefited from glucose testing, while many others participated in group sessions designed to address the psychological toll of incarceration.
“The mental health sessions introduced inmates to basic coping strategies and therapeutic practices they can apply while in custody. Mental health support remains critical, particularly for inmates wrongfully detained or struggling with prolonged incarceration,” she added.
Adenekan also commended partners who made the outreach possible.
“We are deeply grateful to DRPC for partnering with us on this initiative and to the Nigerian Correctional Service for providing the necessary support to ensure the success of this outreach. Special thanks also to Arogi Trauma Care for handling the mental health sessions,” she said.
The “Wellness Behind Bars” programme is part of Headfort Foundation’s broader mission to promote justice, dignity, and well-being for inmates across Nigeria.