Commissioner General of Prisons Mr Patrick Mwiti Arandu has called on Kenyans to accept released inmates as part of their society to enhance the process of decongesting prisons.
Speaking during a visit to Meru GK Prison, Mr. Arandu said that the government through the prisons department has various programmes that they engage the prisoners in, which usually help them to earn a living as well as abandoning behaviours that led to their imprisonment.
“We want the members of the public to know that we usually engage our inmates in various correctional activities and when they are released to society, they should be appreciated since they are our brothers and sisters,” said Mr Arandu.
He called on the members of the public as well as relatives of the inmates to understand that those being released were reformed and ready to get back to their normal chores to earn a living and also co-exist with others.
He added that the Government is planning to decongest all GK prisons for petty offenders currently serving a sentence of five years and below and to this effect, probation officers in the counties have been directed to prepare a full list of all petty offenders who are serving a sentence this period.
He observed that the process of enhancing the training of the offenders has already kicked off and in November this year a total of 52 inmates will graduate in the field of law, while others will do so in vocational works like carpentry, electrical works, plumbing, and welding.
“One of the ways of solving decongestion in prisons is through freeing of petty offenders to serve their sentences in the society and thus help in building the nation,” said Mr Arandu.
He added that so far, 530 inmates have been released countrywide and the process will continue especially after the enactment of the correctional service bill which is at an advanced stage.
“The bill is undergoing public participation where stakeholders both from inside and outside of the prison service are giving their views to ensure it is in tandem with the constitution of Kenya and other human rights statutes to ensure that as we move forward, we are also dynamic,” said Mr Arandu.
By Dickson Mwiti
