STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SET TO LAUNCH OFFENDERS TELEPHONE SYSTEM
By Nicholas Kigondu
The State Department for Correctional Services is set to launch an offender telephone communication system as part of the broader correctional system reforms.
The system, to be deployed across correctional facilities by Telio group, will see the telecommunications and software company fully take care of its installation including hardware, software, locally hosted data infrastructure and staff training.
Speaking while signing a memorandum of understanding between the company and the State Department for Correctional Services, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the development is part of the government’s digital transformation and institutional modernization.
Besides enhancing operational intelligence and security within correctional facilities by securing outbound-only voice communication which will be operated entirely under rules defined by correctional services, the system according to the PS, will be a platform for offender empowerment, reform, and reintegration.
She said the system will facilitate the maintenance of family connections and support the rehabilitation process, ensure secure and reliable access to legal representatives and services while at the same time providing a legal, monitored alternative to the use of unauthorized mobile phones.
Speaking during the ceremony, Telio Group Chief Executive Officer Oliver Drews said Kenya will benefit from its latest technology adding that the innovation is intended to support the state department in its reform agenda.
According to Oliver, the deployed technology, where calling rates will follow public payphone regulations, will allow for future expansion to include video calling and secure messaging for comprehensive communication options.
To ensure safeguards, the department will define rights and control all communication within the system while different rights will be provided for different inmate categories with all activities on the system logged.