CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH PARTNERS TO ACCELERATE REFORM AGENDA

By Nicholas Kigondu 
The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring collaborations that will catalyze ongoing efforts to enhance rehabilitation programmes in correctional settings. 
Speaking during a meeting with a team from Equity Bank Kenya Limited, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the collaborations are part of efforts geared towards creating a more robust and responsive correctional system that would ultimately contribute to public safety and social well-being.
She said the department has initiated a host of reforms focusing on both the welfare of officers working in the department as well as that of the offenders. Citing the latest initiative meant to provide all male inmates in the country with triple-decker beds, the PS said the He for He triple-decker campaign is meant to restore dignity besides improving their well-being and promoting their successful reintegration.
“It is quite difficult to rehabilitate someone who has no dignity. We want to restore the dignity of all inmates through this programme,” she said. 
The PS urged the financial institution to consider supporting the department in its reform agenda citing industry, health, food and agriculture, green energy, local manufacturing and financial literacy as areas of possible collaboration.
The Bank’s Public sector and institutional banking associate Director, Ambassador Mary Mugwanja said Equity Bank remains ready to support the State Department in its reform agenda through the various programmes in Food and Agriculture, Trade and Investment, MSMEs, Manufacturing and Logistics, Social and Environmental Conservation and Technologically enabled environments.