President William Ruto has said alternative dispute resolution platforms will be instituted to tackle crowding in prisons.
He said there is need for stakeholders in the justice value chain to consider alternatives to imprisonment for minor offenders.
Official data shows that more than 10,000 prisoners are serving sentences of less three years.
A further 41 per cent of the prison population is awaiting trial for bailable offences.
Ruto asked the Judiciary to provide leadership in the matter and the Attorney General to initiate necessary engagements.
He spoke on Monday during the pass out parade of Prisons Officer Cadets at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru.
Ruto added that plans are underway to provide more space to accommodate the growing prison population.
"This move will provide ample opportunities to impart skills via correctional services in the spirit of rehabilitation and reform," he added.
Ruto lauded the prisons authority for aligning its correctional services with the government's transformational agenda.
He noted that the rehabilitation and correction framework now focuses on reform, re-direction and the empowerment of prisoners for effective social participation.
Present during the event were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, Defence CS Aden Duale and Commissioner General of Prisons John Warioba among others.
Mudavadi urged the graduands to remain professional at their work.
"Be guided by the rule of law so that Kenya can remain a beacon of stability in the region," he said.
CS Kindiki assured that a clear career progression in prisons will be observed to boost the officers' morale.
A total of 222 cadets graduated during the pass-out.
