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Nairobi, Kenya – September 13, 2024
Dr. Salome Beacco, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Correctional Services, has emphasized the pivotal role of partnerships in driving ongoing reforms within Kenya’s correctional institutions. Speaking during a meeting with representatives from Justice Defenders, an organization dedicated to providing legal services and education to communities in conflict with the law, Dr. Beacco highlighted how targeted collaborations are central to achieving the department’s reform agenda.
“Partnerships are critical in realizing the transformation we envision for the country’s correctional services,” said Dr. Beacco. “Our efforts are focused on ensuring accountability and transparency, and the digitization of processes within the department is a key step towards enhancing integrity and efficiency.”
Justice Defenders, under the leadership of Founder and CEO Alexander McLean, is a key partner in this reform initiative. The organization has been instrumental in providing legal education and services in several correctional facilities across the country, including Nairobi, Kamiti, Thika, Kiambu, Machakos, Nakuru, Naivasha, Murang’a, and Nyeri.
McLean reaffirmed Justice Defenders’ commitment to supporting the department in realizing its aspirations. “We aim to expand our services across all correctional facilities in Kenya, further supporting the department’s efforts to reform the justice system,” McLean said.
In a significant milestone, 29 beneficiaries of the Justice Defenders program, including 12 prison officers, 11 inmates, and six ex-inmates, are set to graduate with Bachelor of Law degrees from the University of London on the 26th of this month. Additionally, ten others—comprising six prison officers, three inmates, and one staff member who is a former inmate—will receive certificates from Strathmore College.
The partnership between the State Department for Correctional Services and Justice Defenders reflects a broader push to improve conditions within Kenya’s prisons, offer opportunities for rehabilitation, and promote reintegration into society through education and legal empowerment.
