President roots for reforms to improve prisoners’ welfare

By PSCU

The Government will seek the support of Parliament to reform laws governing correctional facilities to improve the welfare of prisoners, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.

President Kenyatta said the laws governing correctional services enacted during the colonial era were outdated and needed to be changed to reflect the new constitutional dispensation.

The President was speaking when he toured Kamiti Maximum Prison Wednesday afternoon after he presided over the passing out parade of prison officers at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru.

“You are Kenyans and we will ensure your rights are protected just like those of other citizens,” President Kenyatta told the prisoners at Kamiti.

He urged prisoners to use their time in the correctional facility to mend their ways so that they can become better citizens after their jail terms.

The President, who was conducted on a tour of the prison industries, commended the management for their work saying the skills imparted to the prisoners would be of great value in their future lives once they are finished with their terms in prison.

President Kenyatta reassured that his Government would improve prison facilities countrywide.

He directed Interior Cabinet Secretary and the Commissioner of Prisons to liaise with the Chief Justice regarding petty offenders so that they could be released to decongest prison cells.

The President pointed out that some of the petty offenders have stayed longer in remand cells than they would have served jail terms if their cases were heard and determined.

President Kenyatta was accompanied by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Prisons Commissioner General Isaiah Osugo and Assistant Commissioner of Prisons in-charge of industries, David Lang’at.