The Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Correctional Services Ms. Mary Muthoni has said that there is a need for prisons in the country to be self-sustaining. Speaking during a tour of the Kitengela and Kajiado GK Prisons yesterday, the PS said that the industries and farms within the correctional services will be improved by putting adequate strategies in place to ensure that they are able to cater for their own needs instead of continuously seeking for funds. While noting that prisons are both training and corrective centers, the PS asked the prisoners to make use of the time to gain skills in the various industries and schools within the prisons as the skills and education will come in handy and the government through the Hustler fund will give them capital to start their businesses once they are reintegrated back to their communities. ‘Of the many questions we are hearing every time we engage the prisoners, the most frustrating thing that the prisoners complain about is how they will start life after prison and that is the space, we are trying to equally bridge with the probation officers who will speak to their families for acceptability,’ said Muthoni. With the rehabilitation programs in the two prisons being farming, industry and formal education, the PS emphasized on mechanization of the prison industries and also making use of the land through farming and irrigation. While lauding President Ruto for setting up a taskforce on police reforms, the PS remarked that the government is keen to implement the reforms the taskforce will recommend adding that the welfare of the inmates and the prison wardens is equally important. ‘We have already taken off with the one prisoner, one bed, and one mattress program. We are working with the private sector, development partners, financial institutions and all other well-wishers who would like to come on board to help the offenders to have a better place to sleep so that even as they are released, they will not go home a bitter soul,’ said Muthoni. The PS said that decongesting the prisons which are full to capacity is a key agenda and the judiciary is helping in reviewing the cases. She further encouraged the community to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, where disputes are solved at the home and Nyumba Kumi level instead of rushing to court every time a dispute arises. The Commissioner General of Prisons, Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibasu encouraged the prisoners to make use of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee which assists the President in granting reprieve to eligible convicted offenders. Kajiado County Commissioner Mr. Felix Watakila, Officer in Charge Kajiado Women Prisons Chief Inspector of Prisons, Jeniffer Kakenya and Officer in Charge Kajiado Men’s Prisons Superintendent of Prisons, William Nyangere accompanied the PS in the visit.

Source: Kenya News Agency