STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ROOTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF SKILLS AMONG OFFENDERS

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services is enhancing collaboration with partners as part of ongoing efforts aimed at diversifying skills among offenders.

Speaking during a meeting with Vincent Rapando of the Manu Chandaria Foundation, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the skilling development, targeting those in conflict with the law, seeks to reduce recidivism and transform the lives of offenders by providing them with in demand technical abilities.

Among the proposals under review include the upscaling of paving block making machines project within prisons to allow for partnerships with stakeholders including County governments.

This, according to the PS, will allow correctional facilities to produce and sell paving blocks to public and private institutions, thereby easing the financial burden on the state department while at the same time ensuring that reformed offenders gain requisite skills that will allow them secure legitimate, sustainable income upon their release.

The department is also considering establishing steel fabrication workshops with a pilot in Ruiru and Kitengela prisons to further expand the skills of those under its custody.

The concept, to be modelled around the Chandaria Women Prisons Workshops that are already present in multiple women facilities including Lang’ata, Meru, Kisumu, Shimo la Tewa and Eldoret women prisons, will provide training for offenders who will at the same time receive some income for their efforts.

While pledging the commitment of Manu Chandaria Foundation to support the cause, Rapando said they have been inspired by the impact of projects already established in partnership with the department.