STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRIORITIZING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
By Martha Munyambu
Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco on Thursday held a consultative meeting with a delegation from the Strathmore University Law School to explore areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening Kenya's correctional system.
The discussions centered on a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding that will leverage the expertise of Strathmore University Law School in supporting rehabilitation, legal empowerment, research and capacity building within correctional institutions.
Among the key areas of the proposed collaboration include legal aid services for inmates and officers, legal literacy programmes, restorative justice initiatives, victim-offender mediation, and support for the reintegration of offenders into society.
The partnership will also explore opportunities for training offenders, conducting joint research with Justice Defenders organization, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening rehabilitation programmes.
The meeting further discussed collaboration with the University Law Clinic and Justice Defenders to improve access to justice for convicted persons, remandees and other vulnerable groups through legal awareness, appeals support and prison legal clinics. The partnership is also expected to enhance data-driven research to inform criminal justice reforms and evidence-based policy development.
The Principal Secretary further highlighted the State Department's modernization agenda, which includes the adoption of emerging technologies, implementation of virtual court appearances for inmates to enhance efficiency and access to justice and supporting the Government's Greening Kenya Initiative by transitioning to green energy.
In preparations for the 4th Correctional Service Week, scheduled for 13th–15th October 2026 them Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions, the PS rallied for collaboration between the State Department and Strathmore University Law School noting that partnerships between government and academia are critical in advancing criminal justice reforms.