Vocational Training and Remote Parenting Concept in Kenya Prisons

Presentation by COI Oliver RapandoProgramme Liaison Officer- PRAWA

Kenya Prisons Service

2nd Biennial Conference Kampala, Uganda 2nd to 5th October 2012

Kampala, Uganda.

AFRICA CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION (ACSA)

IntroductionKenya Prisons Service (KPS) is established under

Prisons Act Cap 90 and Borstal Institutions Act Cap 92 of the laws of Kenya.

It is a department in the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Home Affairs as an integral component of the criminal justice system in Kenya.

The department is headed by the Commissioner of Prisons.

There are currently 107 prisons including three institutions for young offenders.

Prison population oscillates between 45,000-50,000 inmates.

Int. Ctnd.The Department is mandated to perform the

following functions: i. to contain and keep offenders in safe custody

under humane conditions; ii.to rehabilitate offenders; and iii.to facilitate administration of justice; andiv.provision of facilities for children below the

age of four year accompanying their mothers to prison

Rehabilitation Programs• Vocational Training Constitute a major rehabilitation

programs in KPS• This include but not limited to computer training, formal

education, farming, commercial education programs, industrial training, hair dressing, and beauty design,

• A number of prisons are producing food sufficient to feed its prison population.

• Some prisons are self sufficient in vegetables production and rely on what is produced on their farms.

• Reduced costs for running prisons

Remote Parenting in Prisons

• KPS holds open days in prisons to enable prisoners unite with family members usually during school holidays.

• Parents unite with children to monitor with progress of their children in school.

• This is a borrowed system from the Chinese model.

• Research has showed that it helps to reduce tension in prison as prisoners are able to follow-up on what is happening in the community.

Tool for re-intergration

• Remote parenting has proven to be a useful tool for re-intergrating inmates back to the society.

• Helps to reduce recidivism thereby addressing increasing prison population.

• There are no cases reported of ex-convicts being rejected by the community

Way Forward

• Enhanced collaboration with stakeholders in CJS- Police, Judiciary, Prosecution, Investigation , Civil society, Government ministries media, among others.

• Embrace the concept of PPP in addressing some of the challenges in funding , staff housing, infrastructure improvement.

• Open Door Policy- Local and International donors to take prisons reform to next level.