18 Prisoners Set Free In Mandera Under Government’s Decongestion Program

MANADERA, Kenya, Aug 18- At least eighteen prisoners have been set free in Mandera following a successful review of their respective jail terms by the National Community Service Committee.

The release is due to the recommended countrywide response to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prison population.

In Mandera, the probation department conducted a decongestion exercise for 36 prisoners in May.

Of the 36 names forwarded to Garissa High Court, Justice Abida Aaron considered nine prisoners for immediate release and put three on probation.

She recommended seven for community service order and one had his sentence reduced from five years to three.

The High Court rejected eight other cases.

During the assessment, probation officers consider the period served by a prisoner, his or her behaviour while in incarceration, nature of offence committed and views of victims and the community.

Prisoners held over cases of attempted murder, arson, human or Child trafficking and other capital offences are not eligible for the decongestion exercise.

Upon release, offenders whose sentences are reviewed to noncustodial sentences will be supervised by probation officers.

Their integration remains a responsibility of government administrators at the grassroots.

“We are here to witness your release from prison under the decongestion exercise and as you go out there adhere to the rule of law. You remain under our observation and any minor mistake shall land you back here to complete your sentence,” Mandera Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Wasike told the prisoners.

Wasike urged prisoners committed to community service to attend to their sentence without failure.

Francis Mulandi, the officer in charge of Mandera GK Prison lauded the exercise saying it reduced the constraints on the prison.

“We have remained with a manageable population at our prison and for those being released have been trained in various fields and I am satisfied they are good citizens,” he said.

 Alkher Ismael Mohamed, a beneficiary, said he has reformed while in prison and that he has been trained in farming.

“I am going to concentrate on farming because that is what I have been trained on while in prison and I believe I will succeed,” he said.

Abdihakim Hussein, another prisoner set free plans to set up a workshop after acquiring carpentry techniques while in prison.

“I am a qualified carpenter and mason but I want to start a workshop because there is little competition in carpentry in Mandera,” he said.

Mohamed Sheikh, head of station, Probation in Mandera said the department shall continue observing more other prisoners for the decongestion.

Since May, the department of Probation and After Care Service has been preparing social inquiry reports for about 6000 eligible prisoners who are expected to have their sentences reviewed by High Courts in favour of community service, probation or other noncustodial options.