Kayode solola biography of williams

An ex-convict turned pastor in Nigeria tells the BBC News website about his work championing prison reform after Nigeria announced plans to free 25,000 inmates to reduce overcrowding.

Pastor Kayode served a 10-year sentence for armed robbery

As a young man, 52-year-old Reverend Solomon Olumuyiwa Kayode Williams served a 10-year sentence for armed robbery.

Afterwards he became a Christian minister and has been director general of a non-governmental organisation for prison reform and rehabilitation for 18 years.

It is not a desperate action, this decision to release about half of Nigeria's inmates to reduce overcrowding in the country's 227 jails.

It is an attempt, following a proper study into the situation, to bring real reform and rehabilitation.

Initially President Olusegun Obasanjo approached those working for human rights organisations to look into the situation.

Then it was widened to include non-government organisation such as my group, Prison Rehabilitati