PS BEACCO ROOTS FOR ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO ACCELERATE HOUSING AGENDA

By Pili Chimerah

The State Department for Correctional Services is mulling adopting steel building technology as it seeks to address housing challenges within its facilities.  

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco held deliberations with representatives from Safal Building Systems on Thursday to discuss on possible collaborations that would ensure speedy construction of buildings, longevity and flexibility for its workshops and staff houses. 

The partnership between the building company and the State Department has seen the successful construction of the Chandaria Lang’ata, Meru, Shimo La Tewa, and Kisumu Women's Prison Workshops which has benefited the inmates with Bakery and tailoring skills. 

The PS appreciated the continued partnership saying it has contributed to the Bottom-up Economic transformation Agenda of having modernized facilities within correctional facilities that would help supplement the ongoing reform agenda.   

During the meeting, the PS underscored the importance of training prison staff and inmates on steel-building technologies to ensure the sustainability of the programme. 

“We are open to the idea of incorporating training of staff and inmates on these technologies,” the PS observed.  

She called for more partners to support ongoing housing initiatives to ensure the goal of having modernized buildings within correctional institutions is realized.

Meanwhile, the PS says the State Department has enhanced financial literacy training among its staff to help address mental health challenges.

During a meeting with representatives from Liberty Group Limited, the Principal Secretary underscored the importance of mental wellbeing in the overall delivery of services with poor financial management cited as a leading cause of mental challenges.

“Mental health challenges are, in most cases, attributed to poor financial management,” she said.

The deliberations with Liberty Group Limited revolved around strengthening collaborations in areas such as staff training on financial literacy, property management and preparing for the retirement phase.

The State Department is set to hold this year’s Correctional Service Week from 22nd -24th October under the theme “Mental Health and Wellness for Effective Service Delivery” with financial management among topics of discussion during the conference.