NINETY INMATES GRADUATE AS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS BANE OF SEXUAL OFFENCES INTENSIFY
By Nicholas Kigondu
Ninety inmates were on Tuesday conferred with certificates after successfully completing an eight-month sexual offender treatment programme as the State Department for Correctional Services moves to address the challenge posed by increased sexual related offences in the country.
The ceremony held at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, with virtual representation from Naivasha and Kisumu Maximum security prisons, came amid grim statistics indicating that sexual offences have become one of the most significant drivers of incarceration within the country’s prison system representing about 31% of the convicted population.
Presiding over the event, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said there was an urgent need to address the root cause of the problem.
“Currently, the total convicted prison population stands at almost 37,000 inmates. Of these, 11,108 are serving sentences for sexual offences, representing about 31% of the convicted population. Notably, defilement accounts for 78.3% of these cases, followed by rape at 10%, incest at 6.1%, and other sexual offences at 5.6%.” She observed.
With majority of those facing sexual related offences being young people, the PS said the obtaining situation remains a threat to the country’s development agenda.
“These trends therefore tell us that the issue before us today is not simply a correctional services issue. It is a justice sector challenge that requires collective reflection and coordinated institutional response.” She noted.
Saying that Justice continues through rehabilitation, reintegration, and sustained collaboration across institutions to prevent future harm, the PS pledged to engage other justice sector players to ensure that justice does not end with conviction or sentencing.
This even as she congratulated the granduands saying the triumph represents the beginning of a new responsibility that respects the dignity, safety, and rights of others.
Seven Kenya Prisons Service officers also benefitted from the training.
According to Ustawi Trust Network Chief Executive Officer Jane Kuria, while justice is essential in addressing societal challenges, it must also create space for transformation among offenders to avoid unexpected consequences.
Acting Probation and Aftercare Secretary Shadrack Kavutai says the justice cycle must focus on all elements of rehabilitation and reformation besides ensuring safe landing for re-integration of reformed offenders.
Welfare, Sports and rehabilitation Director Susan Majere said the training programme is part of the transforming rehabilitation landscape within the Kenya Prisons Service and reflects the commitment of the service to embrace transformative and innovative rehabilitation strategies.
The training, organized with support from Ustawi Trust Network, covered 11 modules that included Sexual offences Act, cognitive restructuring, drugs and substance use, managing deviant sexual arousal, victim empathy enhancement, relapse intervention, emotional management, sexuality, Relationships and interpersonal skills.