By: Hope Times Staff Writer
Female inmates at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre received a boost of encouragement and humanitarian support as Rokel Commercial Bank joined the global celebration of International Women’s Day with a donation aimed at improving their welfare and promoting hope for rehabilitation.
The outreach, which took place on Sunday, 8th March 2026, formed part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and social inclusion. During the visit, representatives of the bank presented assorted food items and essential supplies to women serving various sentences at the correctional facility in Freetown.
The donated items included bags of rice, sanitary pads, onions, cooking oil, soaps, bottled water, toilet rolls, tissues, juices and other condiments intended to support the daily needs of the inmates and contribute to their wellbeing while in custody.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the facility, the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Susan B. Coker, expressed sincere appreciation to the bank for what she described as a thoughtful and compassionate gesture toward women living within the correctional system.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Coker noted that life in correctional centres can often be challenging, both for inmates and the officers responsible for their care. However, she emphasized that the institution remains dedicated to fulfilling its mandate of rehabilitating offenders and preparing them for reintegration into society.
She explained that the Correctional Service has established a number of skills training programmes designed to equip incarcerated women with practical abilities that can help them rebuild their lives after completing their sentences. According to her, such initiatives are intended to ensure that inmates leave the facility with improved prospects for self-reliance and productivity.
Coker also highlighted the importance of public education on national laws, noting that a number of individuals in custody may have committed offences due to limited knowledge of legal regulations. She therefore encouraged institutions such as Rokel Commercial Bank and other stakeholders to support awareness campaigns that could help citizens better understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
In her remarks, she further disclosed that the female correctional centre currently accommodates a small number of infants born to incarcerated mothers. She explained that babies who are still breastfeeding are permitted to stay with their mothers within the facility. However, once breastfeeding ends and no relatives are available to care for them, the children are transferred to the Ministry of Social Welfare for proper support and protection.
Coker commended the bank for complementing the government’s efforts in ensuring the welfare of inmates and assured the delegation that the donated items would be used for the intended purpose of supporting the women at the centre.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, the Head of Public Relations at Rokel Commercial Bank, Aruna Dumbuya, conveyed greetings to the inmates in celebration of International Women’s Day. He noted that the message was delivered on behalf of the bank’s Managing Director, Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, as well as the board, management and staff of the institution.
Dumbuya encouraged the women to remain hopeful despite their current circumstances, reminding them that challenges in life are often temporary and can be overcome with determination and a positive outlook. He emphasized that the visit was meant to demonstrate solidarity and remind the inmates that they remain part of society and should not lose hope about the future.
He further pointed out that ignorance of the law has contributed to the incarceration of many individuals, stressing that greater public awareness and civic education could help reduce crime and prevent people from unknowingly violating legal provisions.
According to him, the outreach formed part of the bank’s reflection on the 2026 theme “Give to Gain (G2G),” which encourages acts of generosity and community support. He explained that the initiative underscores the institution’s commitment to extending compassion to vulnerable groups and contributing to social development.
Other members of the bank’s senior management team also addressed the inmates during the event. Among them was Brenda Davies, who offered words of encouragement and urged the women to maintain discipline and good conduct while serving their sentences.
Davies noted that the bank’s gesture was motivated by genuine concern and empathy for the inmates. She expressed hope that many of them would successfully complete their rehabilitation programmes and regain their freedom to begin new chapters in their lives.
Also speaking during the visit, the Head of Sim-Kopor, Kezia Salankole, thanked the management of the correctional facility for allowing the bank to interact with the inmates and extend support to them.
She encouraged the women to remain resilient and to use their time at the facility to reflect on their future and the opportunities available to them after their release. Salankole also urged the inmates to take advantage of the training programmes provided at the centre, noting that such skills could enable them to rebuild their lives and become economically independent.
In addition, she called on civil society organizations, advocacy groups and institutions to intensify public education campaigns on the laws of Sierra Leone so that citizens can better understand legal requirements and avoid actions that may lead to imprisonment.
Responding on behalf of the inmates, one of the women expressed heartfelt gratitude to Rokel Commercial Bank for remembering them during the celebration of International Women’s Day.
She described the visit as a source of encouragement for many of the women at the facility and appealed to organizations and advocates to continue supporting inmates, particularly by promoting access to justice and legal assistance for those who may need it.
The event ended on a deeply emotional note as several inmates performed songs reflecting their personal experiences, struggles and hopes for a better future. Some of the women also delivered individual messages of appreciation to the visiting delegation, thanking them for the support and encouragement shown during a time when many of them feel forgotten.
For the management and staff of Rokel Commercial Bank, the visit served as a reminder that meaningful change can begin with small acts of compassion. By reaching out to women within the correctional system, the institution reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dignity, inclusion and hope for all members of society.