METHODIST WOMEN DONATE TO FEMALE PRISONERS “Prisoners should receive better treatment as well”

By Muhammad Bah The Methodist Women Federation The Gambia has recently assisted inmates at Mile 2 and Janjangbureh prisons. The donated items were presented during a ceremony held on Thursday 24^th July, 2014 at the Gambia prison department where the women also urged the prison directors to treat prisoners well. The donation is meant for 26 female inmates including 5 at the remand wing of Mile 2. Speaking on behalf of the Methodist Women Federation, Mrs. Lisong Bah, the Unit President thanked all those that contributed in one way or the other. In her statement, she highlighted her federation’s activities in which she said they hosted an area seminar which was attended by participants from 9 countries after they visited the vice president of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy. She said at the seminar, they decided to venture into things like providing aid to female prisoners. She said she was presenting the gifts on behalf of the Methodist women in Africa. Presenting the gifts to prison officers, Mrs. Matilda Johnson, the West African area president of the World Federation of Methodist, said they do pray for female prisoners. She urged the prison directors to treat these prisoners as human beings, saying some got there due to circumstances. She indicated that the local federation has different auxiliaries all of whom contributed to the donation. She remarked, “We are here to strengthen our sisters through prayers and to match it with action.” Winding up the ceremony, the first Deputy Director of the Gambia Prison Service, Yahya P. Jarju thanked the women folk for bringing gifts to female prisoners. He promised the donors that the gifts will be put into good use. He also thanked the social welfare department for facilitating this initiative. He called on others to emulate the Methodist women federation.]]>