Judiciary and State Department for Correctional Services to Decongest Prisons Through Community Service Orders
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By John Kariuki
Nairobi, Kenya – The State Department for Correctional Services and the Judiciary are working on a plan to decongest prisons by expanding the use of Community Service Orders (CSO) as an alternative to incarceration.
In a recent meeting between Chief Justice Martha Koome and Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco, the two agreed to focus on restorative justice, sentence reviews, non-custodial sentencing, and joint training, while also aligning the court calendar to accommodate CSOs.
Chief Justice Koome emphasized that CSOs not only reduce overcrowding but also help offenders take responsibility while making positive contributions to society. She noted that the Judiciary would develop practice directions to guide case reviews for CSO eligibility.
PS Beacco highlighted that Kenya’s prisons currently hold 61,000 inmates—far exceeding the 34,000-inmate capacity. She attributed overcrowding to case backlogs and stressed the need for coordinated efforts, including collaboration with county governments, to implement meaningful corrections reforms.
The Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) has also played a key role in decongestion efforts by pardoning reformed offenders. In July 2023, the committee pardoned and released 5,061 prisoners, including those sentenced to six months or less, long-term offenders with six months left on their sentence, and 662 individuals whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
Key officials in attendance included Lady Justice Margaret Muigai (CSO Chairperson), Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh, and Probation and Aftercare Service Secretary Dr. Christine Obondi. The ongoing collaboration between the Judiciary, Correctional Services, and other agencies aims to progressively ease prison congestion while ensuring justice and rehabilitation.
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