Prisons in Kenya are set to open their doors to the public for business, marking a significant shift in the operations of correctional facilities across the country. The announcement was made by the prison department, which revealed plans to trade in a variety of goods and services produced by inmates. These offerings will include furniture, metalwork, leather products, dairy items, and even beauty therapy services. This initiative aims to integrate correctional facilities into the broader economic framework, allowing them to contribute to the local economy while providing inmates with valuable skills and experience.
During a visit to Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison in Mombasa on August 16, 2023, Salome Muhia, the Principal Secretary for Correctional Services, urged the public to engage with these institutions by purchasing their products. "I call upon the public to come and support and promote these institutions by buying their products so that they can continue producing more," she stated. This call to action highlights the government's commitment to transforming prisons into productive centers that can sustain themselves economically and provide inmates with a sense of purpose and achievement.
Public engagement with prison products
The government is also planning to invest more in Technical Vocational Education Training (TVETs) within prisons. This investment is intended to equip inmates with the necessary skills and knowledge to reintegrate into society successfully. "Currently, we have several inmates who are doing various courses with some sitting for different national exams soon, and we need to fully support such people," Muhia added. The focus on education and skill development underscores the government's broader strategy to rehabilitate inmates and reduce recidivism.
Investment in vocational training
In addition, the government is considering reviving the leather industry as part of its efforts to economically empower correctional facilities. This revival would involve increasing livestock acreage, thereby providing raw materials for leather production. Such initiatives are expected to bolster the economic viability of prisons and create more opportunities for inmates.
Reviving the leather industry
Addressing public concerns about visitation rights, the Principal Secretary clarified that all Kenyans have the right to visit inmates at designated times, emphasizing that no one would be restricted from exercising this democratic right. Furthermore, she mentioned that the government is working on a proposal to implement alternative justice measures. This would allow remandees to attend court proceedings from home, a move aimed at decongesting the overcrowded prison system.
The familiarisation tour in Mombasa County saw Muhia visit five prison facilities, underscoring the government's commitment to reforming the correctional system and enhancing its role in societal development.
