PROCESS OF DEVELOPING LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ON COURSE

By Nicholas Kigondu

The process of aligning correctional practices with the Constitution for better offender management, rehabilitation, and reintegration received a boost with the Technical Committee on the Development of Legal and Policy Framework for Correctional Services preparing to present its final draft.

The team, that has been consolidating expert opinion and recommendations from the public, seeks to bridge the gap between practice, feedback and international good practice through a comprehensive review of the correctional services legal and policy framework.

Speaking in Naivasha during presentation of the Draft Kenya National Correctional Service Bill and its accompanying Policy Framework, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the envisaged legal reforms will provide a paradigm shift for better offender management, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

“It will create the legal and policy architecture required for a modern, efficient, and humane correctional service that not only meets our national aspirations but also aligns with global human rights standards and good practices.” She observed.

She said global trends are increasingly reflecting commitment to reducing recidivism, improvement in training as well as shifting towards more humane, safe, effective and evidence-based practices in the management of correctional services.

“The progressive legal documents will advise how we conduct our business going forward. We are completely focused and determined to reform the country’s correctional system.” She told the committee.

Since the Committee's establishment through Gazette Notice No. 5621 of 9th May 2024, significant milestones have been recorded including the launch of a National Consultative Paper by the Prime Cabinet Secretary in August 2024, followed by extensive nationwide public consultations and targeted engagements with both State and non-State actors.

The proposals contained in the Correctional Services Bill and Policy include the rights and obligations of offenders, duties and responsibilities of Prison and Probation officers, welfare programs for prison and probation officers, management of both custodial and non-custodial offenders, aftercare and resettlement, internal complaints mechanism, among others.

State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco has prioritized legal and policy reforms within the country’s correctional services as part of a broader agenda towards developing a correctional service of excellence.