CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SEEKS PARTNERSHIPS TO UPGRADE PRISON INFRASTRUCTURE

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring partnerships to support planned upgrade of its facilities to make them more responsive to the needs of offenders.

Speaking during a meeting with officials from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the development follows the review of rehabilitation methodology from mere retribution to reforming of offenders.

According to the PS, the department is seeking partnerships to upgrade its prison infrastructure including installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of layered technologies such as walk-through scanners at points of entry to ensure no one including prison officers accesses such facilities while in possession of contraband or mobile phones.

She thanked INL for its continued support including on legal and policy reforms as well as capacity building even as she pushed for more support in other critical areas such as the ongoing digitization programme.

While pledging continued collaboration, INL County Director Maureen Mimnaugh said her organization remains committed to support the department improve outcomes through impactful programmes.

The meeting was also attended by outgoing INL Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya Parvathy (Paru) Sankar.