An over Sh8 million state-of-the-art resource centre has been launched at Nanyuki GK Prison with the aim of equipping prisoners with technical skills.
The facility, named after Fr. Peter Meienberg, a priest, was constructed by the Faraja Foundation associated with him and is equipped with a barber shop, computer lab, counselling centre, knitting and tailoring section, among others, to ensure inmates serving their jail term gain useful skills that will help them generate income once they complete their sentences.
Principal Secretary State Department for Correctional Services, Dr. Salome Beacco, speaking at Nanyuki GK Prison in Laikipia County during the official launch on Wednesday, said the resource centre was a great boost to the government’s rehabilitation efforts to the offenders.
“I wish to thank the Faraja Foundation for this great initiative that perfectly complements our programmes at the correctional services. I have no doubt whatsoever that this rehabilitative initiative will certainly help many people get back on their feet and eventually become resourceful members of society,” said Dr. Beacco.
The facility, which was completed in a span of eight months, Dr. Beacco noted, was an indelible mark in the correctional services and at the same time called for more partnership from stakeholders in supporting offenders’ reform and reintegration back into the community.
“I call upon each one of us to challenge ourselves in the commitment of quality service delivery and support the government’s agenda and position in ensuring that the vulnerable members of our society have access to social justice,” she urged.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Brig. (Rtd.) John K. Warioba, said that the facility was in line with government initiatives to rehabilitate convicts.
“Any inmate can participate in making items that can be sold to benefit financially, and the centre will be run by inmates themselves with support from the officer in charge. This bold initiative represents a significant stride in our core mandate of rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners back into society,” said Brig. (Rtd.) Warioba.
Faraja Foundation Chairperson Dr. David Bett called for more partnership from the county governments to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners, which he pointed out was a major challenge.
By Muturi Mwangi
