STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SET TO RECEIVE 260 COMPUTERS TO IMPROVE DIGITAL SKILLS OUTCOMES

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services is leveraging technology to improve offender rehabilitation through essential skills development.

The concept, implemented in partnership with development partners, involves the integration of digital training, e-learning and social skills including personal branding meant to ease the reintegration of reformed offenders back in society by ensuring they are self-sufficient.

Speaking during a meeting with Belgian Ambassador Peter Maddens, Close the Gap CEO Baron Olivier Vanden Eynde and Tech Kidz Africa Director Paul Akwabi, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the move is part of a broader reform agenda targeting the country’s correctional services.

“We are prioritizing imparting digital skills to both officers working within our correctional facilities as well as offenders as we move to make the country’s correctional system a correctional service of excellence.” Noted the PS.

During the meeting, the department received 10 laptops from Close the Gap organization with a further 250 set to be delivered to aid the digitization agenda with Tech Kids Africa providing relevant content and technology to equip beneficiaries with the necessary technical skills.

The impact of the project was demonstrated by Maureen Awuor, a reformed offender who undertook a digital literacy programme at the Shimo La Tewa women prison during her incarceration.

Having studied web design, computer maintenance, graphic design and personal branding during the programme, Maureen is now an ICT tutor at a vocational college in Malindi.

According to Belgian Ambassador Peter Maddens, the project is both impactful and gratifying with Close the Gap CEO pledging more support for the initiative.