HOBBIES AND HANDICRAFT CENTRE LAUNCHED AT THE NANYUKI PRISON COMMAND
By Nicholas Kigondu and Martha Munyambu
Ongoing reforms targeting rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration of offenders received a boost with the opening of a hobbies and handicraft Centre at the Nanyuki Prison command.
The Centre, which was funded by Faraja foundation, was officially opened on Wednesday by Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco. It will provide vocational training as well as offer wellness services to inmates at the facility as part of a rehabilitation programme aimed equipping them with skills necessary for life outside prison.
According to Beacco, the facility which comprises of a carpentry section, computer section, creative skills section, training and counselling section, a salon and barber shop, will provide critical skills to the inmates which will prevent possible recidivism as well as aid in social reintegration of reformed offenders.
This even as she urged those at the correctional facility to take advantage of the resource centre to empower themselves.
“Make sure you acquire requisite skills during your time here. Why can’t you become the best designer in the region when you finish your term in prison?” The PS challenged one of the inmate undertaking training at the centre.
Commissioner General of Prisons Brigadier (Rtd) John Warioba said the launch of the centre was a significant step in rehabilitation and re-integration of offenders back to the society.
In the whole of government approach, the PS said her department is working closely with the judiciary and County governments in efforts aimed at decongesting correctional facilities.
“Through community service orders, we are having those who have been released by the courts through case reviews committed to community work with county administrations supervising offenders under the support of a probation officer.” She said.
During the ceremony, 47 inmates were released with 36 of the beneficiaries committed to serve community service for varied durations.
According to Lady Justice Lillian Mutende, the National chair community service orders, the judiciary has embraced the concept of restorative justice as part of efforts aimed at decongesting correctional facilities.
“It is important that we decongest our prisons. Some petty offenders could be at risk of interacting with hardcore criminals and be negatively influenced.” She observed.
She said Prisoners confined in correctional institutions are confronted by a range of social, economic and personal challenges that could impede their successful reintegration and community acceptance.
Probation and Aftercare Services Secretary Dr. Christine Obondi, said myriad factors surrounding Wednesday’s beneficiaries of the community service orders were weighed to determine their risks and needs.
Speaking during the ceremony, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu pledged to support correctional facilities within the region promising to collaborate with the state department for correctional services on a number of areas.
Areas of collaboration include placing orders for uniforms, furniture and other items from Kenya Prison Services, Purchase of tree seedlings from the Kenya Prisons Service, utilizing those released under community service orders to repair and maintain County government’s infrastructure, cleaning up of riparian areas, clearing of bushes, opening up of drainage systems, waste disposal management, maintenance of roads and public works.
Wednesday’s event saw officers drawn from the State department for Correctional Services and the county government of Laikipia, Led by the PS and the Governor, join hands in a garbage collection exercise in Nanyuki town before proceeding to Likii secondary school for a tree planting exercise.