Prisoners in Kenya could be allowed home visits

Kenya Prisons Staff Training recruits follow the proceedings during the Kenyatta University's Matriculation ceremony of the Kenya Prisons Service Cadets & Recruits at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru. Kenyatta University's Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda and Commissioner General of Prisons Isaiah Osogo presided over the ceremony. PHOTO: ELVIS OGINA/STANDARD

NAIROBI: Prisoners might soon be allowed time out to meet with friends and relatives, the Commissioner General of Prisons Isaiah Osugo has revealed.

Mr Osugo said, under the plan, the inmates will be allowed to leave the facilities and return once their assigned days are over.

"We will in future consider allowing our prisoners to go work and see their families for selected days in a week and then come back to prison. It happens in some European countries and we can implement a similar programme here," said Osugo.

Speaking during a matriculation ceremony of recruits and cadets at the rison Staff Training College in Ruiru, the Commissioner General, however, said this will only be done after extensive reforms are carried out in the prison service.

PILOT PROGRAMME

Some 2,490 recruits and cadets will study various programmes offered by Kenyatta University (KU). KU Vice-Chancellor Olive Mugenda was present during the ceremony.

He said an extensive programme to professionalise the prisons, covering both officers and inmates, will be carried out before piloting of the programme. If undertaken, Kenya will be the first country in Africa to implement the programme.

The prison service is looking at the possibility of releasing prisoners to meet their families for selected days in a week before returning to prisons.