CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PS LEADS STAFF IN A TREE PLANTING EXERCISE AT GARISSA MEDIUM GK PRISON
By Nicholas Kigondu
Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr Salome Beacco led correctional officers on Thursday in a tree-planting exercise at the Garissa Medium GK Prison as part of the department’s monthly tree-planting campaign.
The initiative, which saw over 32,000 trees planted across the country’s correctional facilities on the day, is part of the department's monthly tree-planting initiative in support of the government's 15 billion Tree Growing Programme.
Speaking during the ceremony, the PS said the department remains committed to supporting the government’s greening Kenya initiative by planting and growing trees and adopting clean cooking technologies as an alternative to the use of biomass to check the adverse effects of deforestation.
“Our greening agenda must not be viewed as a one-day activity. It should become part of the institutional culture of our correctional facilities,” she implored.
Addressing officers at the Garissa Main and Medium GK Prisons, the PS said the government has initiated a host of reforms meant to improve the welfare of officers and inmates, including on housing.
She urged officers to strengthen structured programmes that provide inmates with meaningful skills and purposeful activity, including horticulture, tree nursery management, agriculture and other vocational skills.
“Security remains fundamental, but correctional services are ultimately about second chances. Our mandate is to rehabilitate, reform and prepare inmates for responsible reintegration into society.” She said.
Earlier, the PS visited the Garissa probation station where she held a meeting with probation officers.
While reiterating the significance of probation officers in the criminal justice system, the PS urged the officers to enhance social crime prevention initiatives in partnership with relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
“Let us uphold integrity. Let us embrace technology and innovation. Let us strengthen partnerships. Let us protect vulnerable people. Let us expand community-based crime prevention.” She told the officers.
Acting Probation and Aftercare Secretary, Shadrack Kavutai said the Probation and Aftercare Service is partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to launch a Community Service Order programme targeting select probation stations within the Northeastern region, where tree nurseries for reformed offenders will be established, besides enhancing social crime prevention initiatives.
The PS was accompanied by senior officers from the department, including Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons in charge of technical services, Jane Kirii, who represented the Commissioner General of Prisons.