Tattered, half-naked: Report lays bare prison uniform crisis

Maraga task force noted that some prisoners could not be assigned duties outside prison because they lacked appropriate formal wear. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Inmates in correctional facilities across the country have no adequate uniforms, with most of them wearing tattered attire; the task force into reforms at the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) found out.

Apart from establishing that most prison officers had inadequate supplies of uniforms and accompanying items, life for inmates was hell, since some were almost half-naked; as a result, they could not be assigned any duties outside the facilities since they had no formal wear.

The taskforce led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga, in its report, recommended that there should be deliberate efforts by KPS to supply inmates with sufficient and quality uniforms, and that uniforms for female remand inmates should be different from those for convicted inmates.

The Maraga team was told that the blue-striped uniform issued to inmates does not inspire change of attitude and rehabilitation. It was established that while it was important to ensure inmates are properly kitted, the choice of uniform should conform to the overall objective of rehabilitation and change.

It was further submitted that uniforms for inmates should be favourable to the weather and climatic conditions of the area or region where the facility is situated. 

“This is because there are poor facilities in cold areas and many of the inmates lacked warm clothing to shield them from the harsh weather conditions. This poses serious health risks to prisoners, especially the elderly and sick inmates who are vulnerable to weather conditions,” says the report.

Special bodywear for female inmates and children should also be considered when providing clothing to prisoners.

The taskforce heard that prisoners’ uniforms must be of good quality and must ensure the good health and wellbeing of those who wear them.  There must also be a distinction in attire between convicted and unconvicted inmates, as well as the different categories of prisoners.  

Prison officers suggested that KPS Industries should be contracted and provided with materials and supplies to mass-produce uniforms for the different categories of inmates. This would be more economical and would boost rehabilitation programmes. 

Apart from inmates’ clothing, it was noted that proper official attire not only enhances the confidence of officers but also contributes to respect and professionalism and influences the attitudes and behaviour of the officers, inmates and the members of the public that they serve.

Since officers are not allowed to be in civilian attire when on duty, they are compelled to buy their own uniforms and items, which sometimes are not of the prescribed quality, colour and standards. 

The officers urged for a participatory and consultative process before major decisions about official uniforms and dress codes are made. They strongly advocated for the regularisation of uniforms through the National Uniforms Committee, and prescriptions in terms of colour, shade, quality, and texture and the dissemination of authorised uniforms by the Quartermaster.   

Officers suggested that uniforms should be issued as a package on an annual or quarterly basis. The uniforms include socks, boots, shirt, trousers, lanyard, caps, swagger canes, raincoats, sweaters, greatcoats and umbrellas.

In the alternative, all staff cadres should receive an adequate uniform allowance, with the officers proposing that at least four pairs of uniforms be issued annually for all KPS officers.

It was also submitted that a decision should be made to minimise the use of jungle or combat uniform, which is considered intimidating to the public.

The task force established that KPS is experiencing challenges in ensuring adequate supply of uniforms to officers, especially junior cadres. The situation is compounded by a poor system of distribution for uniforms that puts junior officers at a disadvantage. 

“The task force observed that there is no discernible adherence to laid down procedures regarding the quality, colour, type, adequacy and use of uniform by KPS. The prevailing situation is that KPS officers in the same cadre wear different shades of uniform, yet they are in the same Service,” says the report. 

The Maraga team recommended that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior should propose legislation for enactment to provide for the establishment of the National Uniforms Committee composed of the different disciplined Services whose mandate will be to approve standards, colour and quality of uniforms.

“There should be established a Uniforms Quality and Assurance Committee of KPS, which should be empowered to make final and binding recommendations regarding the quality of uniforms to be procured for the Service, and procurement processes should include mandatory inspection and acceptance of uniforms delivered,” says the report.

In the event the uniform is not accepted, the officers who approved such procurement should be held accountable, including bearing a surcharge equivalent to the cost involved.

Additionally, the taskforce recommended that the process of determining appropriate uniforms should be subjected to public participation and approved uniforms should be gazetted after approval by the proposed Uniforms Committee.

“Maternity dresses and trousers should be included in the issuance of uniforms for female officers,” says the report, which proposed automation of the entire process of supply, issuance, and distribution of uniforms in the Service.