Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Correctional Services, Dr Salome Beacco, has acknowledge that mental health has been a thorn in the flesh to several prison officers, assuring that the government is working closely with Non-state agencies and other players, to address the issue.
The PS regretted that many of security officers have resorted to committing suicide often, due to cases related to mental ill-health and called on all stakeholders to join hands to address the challenge.
“Mental health is a challenge across the board and while the government is doing its part to address the menace, other stakeholders should also chip in to find a lasting solution,” said the PS.
Stakeholders led by Fr Peter Kimani, the Chaplain at the Kenya Prisons Service said religious leaders can come in handy, to guide officers undergoing mental illnesses.
“Victims should open-up to the ones close to them about their mental condition, as a way of minimizing suicidal incidents. Also, the Judiciary should not rush to hand custodial sentences, as it has emerged that a big number of people serving jail terms are innocent but are suffering from various mental disorders,” he observed.
Dr. Beacco admitted that there is need to improve service delivery by the Department and provide a better working environment for prison officers.
He said the Department plays a critical role in the Criminal Justice System, and there is need for additional funding to be able to carry out its role effectively.
Speaking during a workshop on the wellness of senior prison staff at the Kenya Prison Staff Training College in Ruiru, Dr Beacco said there is a need to prioritize operations of Correctional Services, which are highly sensitive and hinge on societal wellbeing.
“As a critical Department, we acknowledge the support we receive from the Government and it has helped a lot in streamlining our operations. However, more needs to be done to effectively be able to perform our mandate, given the sensitivity of the Department,” the PS stressed.
By Muoki Charles
