The high number of inmates in prisons causing congestion consequently poses a challenge for the Prison department, which finds it hard to meet the basic needs of the inmates.

According to Senior Superintendent George Odera, Nakuru GK Prison holds 2000 prisoners against a capacity of around 800.

Read: My life in Nakuru GK prison
The Prison department has therefore set in motion the decongestion program that happens quarterly every year.

So far 53 inmates have been released.

According to Ms Lydia Ngata, the South Rift Regional Coordinator, the program is first initiated by the High court.

Ms Lydia Ngata, the South Rift Regional Coordinator.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI/MTAA WANGU

“This happens after the senior officers in prison have requested for decongestion and prepared a list of inmates who can be released,” she explains.

Once the court agrees, it gives guidelines to prisons for the decongestion program to take place. Inmates who are considered for this program include; those convicted for three years and below, those remaining with three years and below, terminally ill and the elderly.

Ms Ngata continues “After that, the prison prepares a list for those eligible as the court gives consent and refers the list to the probation officer to prepare a social inquiring report.”
Also Read: Prison officer starts rare program to reduce crime rate in Nakuru
It is at that point the probation officer goes ahead and interviews the inmates, relatives to the inmates, victims of the offence, and local administration such as the chief.

“Later, the probation office peruses the court file, prosecution file, and any other document needed to get information on the inmate.”

After analysing all the information, the probation office makes an appropriate conclusion and with all this information combined, it is later consumed by the court to determine if the inmates qualify to be released or not.

Additionally, Ms Ngata highlights that while the list could contain 200 inmates, only half could be considered.

She additionally adds that those jailed for capital offences, sexual assault and corruption involving civil servants are not considered for the decongestion program.

Read: Petty Offenders to Serve Community Service in New Prison Reforms

Ms Ngata says “most of the offenders released under decongestion will participate in community service where they perform unpaid public work for the benefit of the community as reparation for the wrong done to the community.”

“The objective of this initiative is to give these individuals a second chance and help them reintegrate into their communities,” Ms Ngata concludes.

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