Correctional Services Principal Secretary (PS) Salome Beacco has called on stakeholders in the private sector to assist in the procurement of teaching and learning materials for vocational training of inmates at Kakamega Prison and Shikusa Borstal Institution.
Speaking during her visit to the Kakamega Main and the Women Prison to inspect ongoing development projects and the Shikusa Prison Farm, Salome noted most of the materials needed are in the fields of Welding, Carpentry, Tailoring, and Computer Studies.
She further urged manufacturers and schools to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to come on board and train the inmates as well as part of their CSR activities.
The PS noted that the training was vital since the government was moving away from heavy punishment to rehabilitation, and there was a need to equip inmates with skills to enable them to eke a living when they leave prison.
“Some of our inmates are keen on going back to school, come and assist us in paying for their school fees,” she appealed.
She visited Shikusa Borstal Institution and found that the state of the Computer Laboratory was wanting. She promised that her department will put measures in place to improve the facility.
Salome called on all stakeholders to innovate solutions that will transform inmates to ensure none of them return to prison.
She observed that the number of remandees is double the number of inmates and called for use of probation orders and community service orders as alternative systems for dispute resolution.
“It’s important to decongest prisons. The use of such alternative methods for dispute resolutions will work towards the same.” She said.
By Hilda Atika
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