By Suleiman Ahmed
According to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), the provision of meaningful rehabilitation programmes is crucial in reducing recidivism and to improve public safety.
The Rules also emphasize that education, vocational training, work, treatment and other forms of assistance, should be offered by prison administrations to support the social reintegration of prisoners into society.
Our country has experienced gradual reform of inmates through both formal and informal training to make them productive members of the society once they are released from custody.
In deliberations on a sector-wide approach to administering justice and evaluations of current policies for offender rehabilitation programs, the State Department of Correctional Facilities has recorded significant progress.
A total of 255 probationers and inmates have been provided with educational support to promote rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.
The immediate former Principal Secretary in the department, Mary Muthoni, during her tenure ensured that they have put in mechanisms to ensure that the freed individuals are engaged in community service to help them re-integrate back into their communities and become self-dependent.
Marry Muthoni’s appointment undoubtedly brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
Her track record of dedication, leadership, and proven ability to bring about positive change makes her a prime candidate for this crucial position.
Having now been moved to the Health Ministry, I firmly believe that under her guidance, the department will thrive and achieve remarkable milestones.
PS Muthoni who handed over the the correctional office last week facilitating 100 probationers and 117 inmates in prison to sit for NITA exams to obtain their grade test certification and disbursement of Sh2.1 million in educational support to 231 probationers in 34 counties.
Inmates have been involved in resource-oriented vocational rehabilitation programs such as masonry, tailoring, agriculture, and free primary and secondary education which are critical to enable them earn a living after serving time.
One way in which this supports economic growth is by helping to address skills gaps in the job market.
By providing inmates with the practical, in-demand skills that employers need, the program can help businesses find the talent they need to grow and thrive.
Authorities also warn that idle prisoners are a threat to prison security and the public at large.
Some of the challenges in rehabilitation include budget shortfalls and the punitive philosophy of prisons have made prisons much more unpleasant and less likely to rehabilitate prisoners.
According to prison statistics, as of January 2023, the national prison population stood at 58,887. The against the prison’s capacity of 34,000.
The Economic Survey 2023 revealed that the number of inmates increased from 160,121 in 2021 to 169,579 in 2022.
Treatment of young offenders in Correctional Institutions and Youth Corrective Training Centers has helped create more capacity among the young people of our country.
Generation and provision information to courts and penal institutions enforced during the tenure of PS Muthoni who has since been reassigned to the Ministry of health has transformed the correctional system in Kenya.
The country’s 81 prisons and 4 probation institutions have been identified and included in the prison reforms agenda to improve the conditions of prisons.
By selecting someone as qualified and capable as Marry Muthoni for the health docket President Dr. William Ruto has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our government.
It showcases the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in leadership roles. I commend Dr. Ruto administration’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.
The writer is a governance and political consultant
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