PS Salome Beacco Calls for Mental Health Integration in Kenya Prisons Service
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Nairobi, Kenya – April 2025
Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco has called for the urgent mainstreaming of mental health within the operations of the Kenya Prisons Service, highlighting its critical role in rehabilitation and successful reintegration.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with prison directors and regional commanders, Dr. Beacco emphasized that mental health must be prioritized across the department’s systems. “Mental health is the cornerstone of effective correctional management,” she said. “It’s time we move beyond outdated methods and embrace practices that reflect compassion, accountability, and measurable action.”
She commended the officers for their efforts in addressing rising cases of suicide, absenteeism, and desertions within the ranks, but noted that real progress requires sustained and empathetic interventions. “We must consistently equip ourselves with the skills to support those in need,” she urged. “Let us care—what maketh a man is the difference he makes in society.”
Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh echoed the PS’s sentiments, urging officers to foster a culture of care and support in their stations.
Held under the theme “Enhancing Mental Health in Prisons: Getting Involved,” the forum focused on developing practical solutions to the mental health challenges affecting correctional staff and inmates alike.
The meeting marks a critical step toward institutionalizing mental wellness as a pillar of correctional service reform in Kenya.
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