INMATES CALL IT HOME

To most of us when one is convicted of a crime in a court of law, it appears like it is the end of the convict’s future. Until you get a chance to visit the prisons it will always be the same notion that jail is only meant to punish the law breakers.

Inmates at their workshop

The government under the ministry of home affairs always work closely with the prison department in order to rehabilitate the inmates. Visiting Thika main prison, Deputy Officer in charge, Tom Ongeri, took us through his prison where he handles petty offenders and non-convicts who are waiting a trial.

Metal items

Thika main prison has a capacity of 250 inmates who do not exceed a maximum of five years and according to Officer Tom, he accolades the government for the efforts it has been providing in ensuring that the inmates are rehabilitated fully.

Mr. Ongeri said that after receiving the convicts from the courts they go through a rigorous selection exercise in order to provide the most efficient rehabilitation process. “We always classify the inmates according to level of education and those with skills,” he continued. “We do have different sections to offer craftsmanship; carpentry, tailoring, metal works, agriculture and formal education for those who want to redo their national examinations.

He however said every profession has its own challenges citing that his prison was limited in terms of space considering it is located at Thika CBD. “We are also under staffed in this prison in terms of prison police and we experience shortage of technical teachers,” he added. He also revealed that though not common they have experienced breakouts of inmates and in that case they call for administration officers in order to reinstate the inmates.

Certificate of merit

Tailor inmate

“If the inmate is apprehended, he is taken to serve the remaining term and thereafter pressed with charges of fleeing from prison,” said Mr. Ongeri.

Talking to Hillary Karira an inmate serving for one and a half years for man slaughter, he praised the prison officers of their cordial relationship between Officers and the inmates. He however said that considering that he was a professional high school teacher he is not gaining much in terms of technical skills. 

“I assist the officers with administrative work and paper work in the office,” he however said that the environment though conducive for one to restore their character, is congested with inmates. Asking Mr. Ongeri about the population issue he said that, “The reason why our prison is congested is that we house both the convicted and non-convicted while awaiting trial,” he said.

Mr. Karira said in case of a dispute among inmates the officer on duty establishes the issue as well as spells the punishment on the one found guilty.

In the technical department we met Inspector Njoroge Njuguna who took us through various items on display made by the inmates. “The qualifications of an inmate to learn a skill is first to have a jail term not less than three to five years,” he stated.

“Considering that most of these technical courses take up to three years in order to move from grades 3, 2, to 1 we can only train those serving a term that will enable them complete,” he continued.

Inspector Njoroge said that during the course of training they are tested with terminal examinations and a certificate is issued upon successful completion. He however added that the prison partnering with Father Grol’s Welfare Trust they help the inmates find employment opportunities upon completion of their term.

Office drawers made at Thika Prison

Inspector Njoroge added that there exist competition among prisons where products are displayed at the Nairobi show grounds and the most successful items are awarded with a trophy. “We compete with other prisons to come up with the best and once we acquire the trophy three years in a row, we retain the trophy as the best.”