Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated on Monday that the government is working to improve correctional services through a slew of reforms such as prison decongestion.
According to Kindiki, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration will establish the necessary measures and policies to decongest all prisons in the country by 50%.
Speaking at Mwea Prison in Kirinyaga County, Prof Kindiki said this will be facilitated through an engagement with the Judiciary and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
“In a few months, we will have a new and modern Correctional Services policy and in the next 3 months review laws on prisons, borstal institutions and probation services to match with the 21st Century standards,” he said.
According to Kindiki, the government encourages alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and non-custodial or community service sentences to ease the number of inmates in correctional facilities.
“Every inmate has to have their own bed and mattress. The Government will partner with the private sector to make sure the ‘One Prisoner, One Bed, One Mattress’ program is successful,” he said.
The CS added that the government will also invest Ksh.1B to modernize equipment in prisons to ensure inmates receive new skills and produce products that are competitive in the industry and modern market.
“Prisons should not be hell. It should be a place of reforms and rehabilitation. Most of the inmates are young people and we look forward to you leaving prisons, reformed appropriately, so that you participate in nation-building,” Kindiki added.
On the welfare of inmates, the CS said two pairs of uniforms will be the standard, while prison staff will also see new uniforms provided.
“The Government takes seriously, reforms in Prisons and other correctional facilities. The task force on Police and Prisons reforms will submit its report later this month, and its recommendations will help us execute these reforms,” added Kindiki.
Kindiki was accompanied by Correctional Services Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Commissioner General of Prisons John Warioba and other senior government officials.
