The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring partnerships to support planned upgrade of its facilities to make them more responsive to the needs of offenders. Speaking during a meeting with officials from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the development follows the review of rehabilitation methodology from mere retribution to reforming of offenders. According to the PS, the department is seeking partnerships to upgrade its prison infrastructure including installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of layered technologies such as walk-through scanners at points of entry to ensure no one including prison officers accesses such facilities while in possession of contraband or mobile phones. She thanked INL for its continued support including on legal and policy reforms as well as capacity building even as she pushed for more support in other critical areas such as the ongoing digitization programme. While pledging continued collaboration, INL County Director Maureen Mimnaugh said her organization remains committed to support the department improve outcomes through impactful programmes. The meeting was also attended by outgoing INL Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya Parvathy (Paru) Sankar.

The Wanini Kireri Magereze Level 4 Hospital is set to assume full operations by the end of next month, with the State Department for Correctional Services expressing its commitment to making it a center of excellence. During a brief by the hospital’s commissioning committee, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco was informed that technical teams from the Ministry of Health and the State Department for Correctional Services have been finalizing system integration testing ahead of the planned commissioning of the facility. Speaking during the meeting, the PS emphasized the need to have the facility fully operational to address the medical needs of officers within the department as well as those from the neighboring community. She called on the committee to exercise due diligence to ensure quality of care, patient safety, and a positive patient experience. According to the PS, all operations at the hospital, which has already commenced partial operations, will be paperless. Patient registration, health records, prescriptions, and laboratory tests will be conducted digitally, while data access and privacy will be guaranteed for those seeking services at the facility. Already, a team from the Digital Health Agency (DHA) has trained a technical team from the facility and issued tablets for use as part of ongoing efforts to integrate digital technologies into healthcare, enhance accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and ensure data security. The operationalization of the ultra-modern 150-bed capacity Level 4 hospital, located at the Kenya Prison Staff Training College in Ruiru, is in direct compliance with a Presidential directive issued during February’s pass-out parade for recruits of the Kenya Prisons Service. The hospital is equipped with a wide range of modern medical facilities, including an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), radiology and laboratory services, dental and physiotherapy units, a maternity wing, a pediatric ward, as well as male and female inpatient wards.

The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring partnerships with stakeholders to align its formal and vocational training programmes with industry demands. Speaking during an exploratory meeting with Microsoft officials, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said it was paramount that available training programmes are in tandem with emerging areas through the scaling up of infrastructure and skills. According to the PS, imparting industry-relevant skills to offenders will help reduce recidivism, as the chances of those exiting correctional facilities securing employment will improve. With the department planning to digitalize its facilities and operations through the Integrated Correctional Management Information System (ICMIS), the PS said the department will seek the support of partners to fully transition from manual to digital systems, including the provision of devices and capacity building. While pledging Microsoft’s readiness to partner with the department to deliver on its mandate, Microsoft Africa Development Center Managing Director Catherine Muraga said the company will explore various options to determine areas of possible collaboration. She noted that the company is partnering with about 16 universities in the country and engaging students in secondary schools as it seeks to encourage young people to pursue technology-related courses while equipping them with new methodologies and the right tools. The State Department has prioritized formal and vocational training across correctional facilities as a rehabilitation tool aimed at empowering offenders with the requisite skills to ease their reintegration into society.

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco has urged senior officers to accelerate the implementation of the Presidential directive on clean energy transition across all correctional facilities. Speaking during a Senior Management Meeting held at Magereza House, the PS said embracing sustainable energy solutions would enhance operational efficiency while advancing the Government’s broader environmental and climate action agenda. The meeting reviewed progress on key departmental programmes, including offender rehabilitation and management, staff welfare, the national Greening Kenya initiative, modernization and mechanization of prison farms and industries, as well as preparations for Correctional Service Week 2026. Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh commended senior officers for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining safe, secure, and humane custodial environments, urging them to sustain the momentum of ongoing reforms. Among those present were Kenya Prisons Service Directors and Regional Commanders drawn from across the country.

Information is often the first line of defence against a silent crisis. In one of the key sessions of the Psychological First Aid training, Prison Officers were taken through an in-depth exploration of Mental Health situations affecting correctional facilities and their own homes, highlighting the often-overlooked emotional and psychological pressures that accompany correctional work. The discussion created a platform for reflection on the realities of stress, burnout, trauma exposure, family-related challenges, anxiety, and other mental health concerns that can affect officers professionally and personally. The session equipped participants with practical coping strategies centered on resilience-building, emotional regulation, self-care, peer support, and timely help-seeking behaviours. By fostering greater awareness and understanding of mental well-being, the training reinforced the idea that caring for those who serve is essential to building healthier institutions. @DignityDK | @NANHRI40 | @PrisonsKe | @InteriorKE | @CorrectionalKE

The State Department for Correctional Services commemorated World Environment Day with a tree planting drive at the Eldoret Main GK Prison. The exercise, which was led by Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, saw over 2,500 trees planted with participation from students at the Eldoret GK Prison Senior School, National Government Administration officers, as well as officers drawn from the Kenya Prisons Service and Probation and Aftercare Service. Speaking during the exercise, the PS said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the department to support global efforts to leverage nature-based solutions in combating the adverse effects of climate change. She noted that the department remains committed to supporting the national goal of planting and growing 15 billion trees by 2032, as championed by William Ruto, through sustained environmental conservation efforts. The State Department has been at the forefront of environmental conservation through large-scale tree planting and seedling production. “We stand united by a common purpose: protecting our environment while strengthening rehabilitation and transformation within our institutions. This dual mission reflects the values of service, stewardship, and sustainability that define the correctional sector,” she observed. The department has dedicated the first Thursday of every month to tree planting and growing, with these efforts having already resulted in the planting of over six million trees. The PS also toured Eldoret Main GK Prison and the Women’s Prison, where she engaged both officers and inmates, reiterating the department’s commitment to addressing the welfare of both officers and inmates. During the tour, she issued an assortment of food and non-food items to inmates, including shaving machines and toiletries. She also commissioned a multi-purpose hall at Eldoret Main GK Prison and inspected the ongoing construction of the Chandaria Women’s Workshop at the women’s facility. She was accompanied by Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh, Acting Probation and Aftercare Service Secretary Shadrack Kavutai and other senior staff from the department.

The State Department for Correctional Services commemorated World Environment Day with a tree planting drive at the Eldoret Main GK Prison #KBCniYetu

The State Department for Correctional Services has set 2028 as the deadline for transitioning all correctional institutions from wood fuel to clean energy, with a multi-agency consultative process now underway to drive implementation. Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco noted that the department is among the country’s largest consumers of wood fuel, with data presented at the meeting indicating that each inmate consumes an average of 2.5 kilograms of wood fuel daily. She directed that the transition be pursued under a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) framework to ensure delivery within the set deadline. Speaking during the meeting, Special Envoy for Climate Change in the Executive Office of the President, Ambassador Ali Daud Mohamed, pledged technical support towards the initiative. He emphasized the importance of capacity building, noting that training inmates in clean energy technologies such as biogas would enhance rehabilitation and improve their prospects upon reintegration into society. Participants agreed that a mapping exercise be undertaken to identify the most suitable clean energy solution for each institution based on available resources, infrastructure and location. Options discussed included Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), biogas, solar-powered systems and induction cooking technologies. The meeting also identified carbon financing as a potential mechanism to sustain and expand clean energy systems across correctional facilities. The implementing team was directed to revise the concept note to incorporate the guidance issued, develop a data collection tool and commence field data collection within the next two weeks. Further, the department has planned stakeholder engagements as it works towards broadening a coalition of partners supporting the initiative. The initiative aligns with the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy (2024–2028) and the Government’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign, which targets the growing of 15 billion trees by 2032. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change, the State Departments for Petroleum and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Power, KenInvest, the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya, Ignis Innovation Limited and Leive Industrial Monitoring.

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco was on Wednesday among senior officials and members of the diplomatic corps who attended a luncheon hosted by H.E. Caitriona Ingoldsby, Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya. The luncheon was held in honour of H.E. Henriette Geiger, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Kenya, as she concluded her diplomatic assignment in the country. Speaking during the luncheon, the PS commended H.E. Geiger for her leadership in strengthening collaboration between Kenya and the European Union, particularly in advancing justice sector reforms, rehabilitation programmes and community-based correctional interventions. The event offered an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved through joint programmes implemented by the State Department for Correctional Services, the European Union and other development partners, underscoring the importance of sustained international cooperation in driving meaningful reforms across the correctional services sector. As H.E. Geiger departs for her next assignment, participants conveyed their appreciation for her dedication and wished her well in her future endeavours.

A hybrid library has been launched at the Kamae Girls Borstal Institution as the State Department for Correctional Services moves to enhance its reformation and rehabilitation efforts targeting young offenders. Supported by the International Children’s Aid Network, the learning centre will provide both physical and digital learning resources for beneficiaries, including those from the neighbouring Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Centre. Speaking during the launch, Acting Probation and Aftercare Service Secretary Shadrack Kavutai, who represented the Principal Secretary, said the resource centre will greatly enhance rehabilitation efforts by providing learners with access to a wide array of educational resources that promote a conducive environment for learning. “Education remains one of the most powerful instruments of empowerment and rehabilitation available within the correctional landscape,” he observed. He noted that the department is increasingly focusing on creating opportunities that facilitate personal growth, character development and social reintegration, adding that the establishment of the facility aligns perfectly with the restoration and reintegration agenda. While thanking the International Children’s Aid Network for its continued support, Kavutai said the positive outcomes of the collaboration demonstrate the transformative power of education and the importance of strategic partnerships in correctional programming. According to Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons in charge of Technical Services Jane Kirii, the launch of the latest resource centre demonstrates the Kenya Prisons Service’s commitment to empowering young offenders through quality education and personal growth. International Children’s Aid Network co-founder Dr. Marc Hauser reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the initiative, noting that exposure to books opens the mind to curiosity and that the hybrid library will open a world of alternatives for the beneficiaries. Education and Training Director at the State Department, Dr. Margaret Mutuma, described the development as a testament to the department’s commitment to positively transforming the lives of children in conflict with the law through education.

Honoured to join H.E. President William Ruto, fellow leaders and Kenyans in commemorating the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations at Wajir Stadium a landmark moment for North Eastern Kenya, hosting a national celebration for the very first time.

The State Department for Correctional Services has reaffirmed its commitment to inmate dignity and rehabilitation following talks between Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco and a delegation from Faraja Trust. The meeting reviewed ongoing collaboration, explored new joint initiatives and sought Faraja Trust’s partnership for Correctional Service Week 2026. PS Beacco paid tribute to the late Fr. Peter Meinberg, founder of Faraja Trust, describing his compassionate leadership and lasting contribution to humane correctional services in Kenya. Central to the discussions was the Triple Decker Bed Initiative, conceived by the late Fr. Meinberg to address congestion in correctional facilities. While 2,000 beds have been installed across three institutions, PS Beacco noted that a shortfall of 56,000 beds, equivalent to over 18,000 triple decker units, still remains, underscoring the need for sustained partnership and investment. Faraja Trust Executive Director Ms. Astrid Meinberg reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the initiative and announced plans to establish Day Care Centres for children at Nanyuki Women Prison and Shimo La Tewa Women Prison. PS Beacco welcomed the proposal and pledged support through public participation and available design assistance. The PS also highlighted Correctional Service Week 2026, scheduled for 13th–15th October in Nairobi under the theme, “Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions.” The Faraja Trust delegation was led by Trustee Mr. Christoph Meinberg, Executive Director Ms. Astrid Meinberg and Programme Coordinator Ms. Christine Odero.

State Department for Correctional Services strengthened its rehabilitation programmes within correctional institutions through a book donation exercise at Naivasha Maximum Prison and Naivasha Women Prison. The books were received by Naivasha Maximum Prison Officer in Charge Gérard Omunge on behalf of the two institutions. The donation is expected to support educational programmes and improve access to learning materials for inmates as part of the rehabilitation process. The officers thanked Principal Secretary Dr Salome Beacco for the donation, noting that the books will play a significant role in enhancing learning, personal development, and rehabilitation within the correctional institutions.

The State Department for Correctional Services has enhanced the social crime prevention programme, focusing on addressing causative factors of crime. Speaking in Narok County during a tour of the Kilgoris GK prison and the Kilgoris Probation Station, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the approach is advised by the need to nip the root causes of crime in the bud rather than just reacting to offences. In a region prone to violent inter-communal conflicts and sex-related offences, the PS said Narok County is one of the regions that the department, through Probation and Aftercare Service, has enhanced crime prevention activities. She underscored the critical role of probation and aftercare in the criminal justice system, urging officers to uphold professionalism in the dispensation of their duties. “As professionals, feel encouraged to help communicate that non-custodial measures are not a soft option; they are a smart, structured, and credible form of justice. They promote accountability, provide close supervision, support rehabilitation, and help reduce unnecessary incarceration.” Said the PS. Addressing officers at the Kilgoris GK Prison, the PS expressed her commitment to ongoing reforms targeting the Kenya Prisons Service, especially on officers' welfare including salaries and housing. Besides addressing overall officer welfare, the PS said the department has already embarked on a host of programmes aimed at building capacity, mental health support, and professionalism within the service. While addressing inmates at the facility, the PS said the government is expanding vocational training programs in carpentry, tailoring, welding, and formal education with a view to strengthening the department’s rehabilitation and reintegration agenda. The PS also donated an assortment of food and non-food items, including mattresses, blankets, wheat flour, and cooking oil to inmates. During the visit, the PS also led officers and inmates at the Kilgoris GK Prison in a tree planting exercise that saw over 2,000 trees planted. She was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons in charge of technical services Jane Kirii, Acting Probation and Aftercare Secretary, Shadrack Kavutai, Director industry Mutembei and other senior officers drawn from the state department.

Today, the Attorney General Hon. Dorcas Oduor, EGH, attended a meeting of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) at Safari Park Hotel, presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome. The high-level engagement convened leaders and key stakeholders from across the justice sector to deliberate on priority issues affecting the administration of justice and the delivery of justice services in the country. Among those in attendance were , PS @CorrectionalKE Services Dr. Salome Biacco, Hon. @CarrenAgengo, the PS for Children Affairs, the @LawSocietyofKe President, Mr. @ckanjama alongside senior officials drawn from various justice sector institutions. The meeting underscored the importance of sustained inter-agency collaboration, institutional coordination, and collective action in addressing emerging challenges within the justice sector. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships among institutions, promoting access to justice, enhancing accountability, and advancing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and responsiveness in service delivery. The NCAJ continues to serve as a critical platform for fostering cooperation among justice sector actors in the pursuit of a more effective, accessible, and people-centred justice system.

The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has intensified efforts to ensure coordinated approach in addressing challenges facing access and administration of Justice in the country amid changing crime trends. Speaking in Nairobi at the 37th Council meeting, NCAJ Chairperson Chief Justice Martha Koome said there was need to scale up both individual and collective efforts to ensure efficient administration of justice that is more people centered. Addressing members of the council, drawn from a broad coalition of state and non-state actors aimed at reforming the justice system, Koome observed that while the country has some of the most progressive laws, they appear to have failed to fully deter some crimes including sexual related offences. Addressing the forum, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said the state law office has already constituted an interministerial committee to look at all obsolete laws and those that have been declared unconstitutional to ensure that the laws are responsive. While making a presentation on the challenges of sexual offences in Kenya, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco informed members of available data within the correctional system indicating high prevalence of sexual related cases coupled with significant barriers to justice for both victims and offenders. She highlighted defilement as one of the offences that continues to dominate across both custody and community systems, while rape and gang-related offences continue to show increasing complexity. She said the obtaining situation continues to pose a major justice and public safety challenge while intensifying pressure on rehabilitation programmes and reintegration efforts.