CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO ALIGN OPERATIONS WITH MANDELA RULES

By Nicholas Kigondu

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco says the department is working with partners to help supplement ongoing efforts aimed at aligning its operations with the UN's Nelson Mandela Rules for the humane treatment of offenders.

Speaking during a meeting with officials from Faraja Trust, the PS said the welfare initiatives will not only restore human dignity but also improve inmate health.

Citing the He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign, the PS said the prison decongestion initiative aimed at providing 20,000 triple-decker beds for male inmates, has made reformation and rehabilitation of male offenders more effective.

She said the department is working with stakeholders on other areas of rehabilitation and skills development including mental health and psychosocial support.

While pledging support for the initiatives, Faraja Trust Executive Director Astrid Meienberg said they are already working on modalities of supporting the equipping of Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison with beds.

Astrid said the support will also include constructing a daycare centre at the Nanyuki women prison as well as looking into the possibility of fabricating triple decker beds at the Nanyuki GK Prison.

Championed by the Principal Secretary, the He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign aims to fabricate and distribute 20,000 triple-decker beds to provide proper sleeping spaces for approximately 57,000 male inmates who previously slept on prison floors.

Already, Nairobi West Prison, Mombasa Remand Prison, Kajiado Main Prison, Nairobi West prison and Kiambu GK prison have already benefited from the project with at least 2,000 beds fabricated.