STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES LAUNCHES HE FOR HE TRIPLE DECKER BED CAMPAIGN

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services has embarked on an ambitious plan that seeks to ensure all prisoners across all its facilities sleeps on a bed.

Dubbed, He for He triple decker bed campaign, the initiative targets to have at least 20,000 triple decker beds fabricated to cater for an average of about 57,000 men behind bars within the country’s correctional centres.

Speaking while launching the campaign at the Nairobi West Prison, Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi Diocese Philip Anyolo urged Kenyans to embrace the initiative saying it is a positive step towards humanizing those held within prison walls and according dignity to those in need.

“The campaign is important and is incorporated in evangelism. This is an expression of the love of Christ. Let’s take care of one another to make prisons better places for rehabilitation.” Said the Archbishop.

State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the initiative will ensure that no one is left behind beside optimizing space, reaffirming dignity and enhancing overall health of inmates.

“Today we gather not merely to launch a physical installation, but to ignite a movement—a movement for dignity, justice, and humanity within our correctional facilities. We are here because we believe that where there is incarceration, there must also be compassion.” Observed the PS.

She said the Triple-Decker Bed Campaign reflects deep commitment to the Nelson Mandela Rules and the United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of offenders.

“But more than compliance, it reflects conscience. We are choosing a path that prioritizes humanity. That recognizes that confinement must never translate into indignity.” Said the PS.

Azerbaijan ambassador to Kenya Sultan Hajiyev said the initiative was a demonstration of the power of good deeds adding that it will make a positive impact on the lives of prisoners who are among the most vulnerable in the society.

According to Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh, the programme is meant to restore dignity among the incarcerated even as he urged those in prison to take advantage of existing programmes to improve their skills that would help them once they leave prison walls.