Charity: African Prisons Project
Alexander McLean was so appalled at the conditions and injustices suffered by many Ugandan prisoners during his gap year in 2004, that he was inspired to set-up the charity, African Prisons Project.
The project was founded to improve the welfare, health and education of detainees in Africa and currently focuses its activities in Uganda.
Since its foundation four years ago, Alexander has been running the charity in a full-time voluntary capacity. Using his own funds to support his work with the charity, Alexander has been described as the catalyst for the charities operations. These include work to establish an education facility in a women's prison and the planned building of a day-care centre for the children of offenders.
In addition, the project has also provided more than 120,000 books to prisoners, developed sports activities and set-up HIV programmes.
With many accolades, his personal commitment to improving the lives of African prisoners, led him to be awarded 'UK graduate of the Year' in 2007, and 'UK Charity Volunteer of the Year' 2006. During his time volunteering in Uganda, his care and dedication won him the hearts of all that worked with him including pregnant women in the prison. This resulted in lots of newborn babies being called 'Alexander' after him!
With a Law degree at the University of Nottingham, and currently completing a Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice in London, the Kingston born volunteer, has been a magistrate since he was twenty-one in order to gain greater insight into the Legal system.
Alexander is currently a part-time health care assistant at the Trinity Hospice, Clapham, London.
Currently one of the Finalists for the category 'Best New Charity' by Charity Times, more information can be found at www.africanprisons.org