The state department for Correctional services is planning a major upgrade of prison facilities across the country.
Under the one prisoner, one bed, one mattress program, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni says they intend to improve the conditions of prisoners from their current state.
The program, she said, will see available resources utilized towards the purpose and strategic partnerships sought to support developmental projects.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with prisons directors and regional prison commanders, Muthoni said it was unrealistic for the prisoners to be making beds yet they sleep on floors.
"We are making our beds and as the correctional services department how can you even ask the inmates to stitch when their ribs are paining because of sleeping on the floor," she questioned.
She emphasized that her department is out to ensure its mandate is successfully implemented to also ensure prisoners reform and lead successful lives upon release.
"Our purpose is to correct the individual to be a more productive and law-abiding citizen," she said.
"The priority mandate of the country's correctional facilities is to help convicts reform, this starts with the provision of a conducive environment to accelerate the process," she added.
Present during the meeting was the Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Florence Omundi, Director of Administration Jonam Kinama and senior officers from the Department and prisons service.
Meanwhile, the PS has called for a review of sentences for mothers who have been remanded with their children.
She noted that currently there are more than 300 children in prison facilities across the country who said are undergoing stigmatization.
“We are not sure if they will be convicted or if they have committed those crimes or not so the judiciary can explain to us. If they are petty offenders let them be given roles through the CSO orders to work in the community,” she stated.
“These children need to grow just like others and enjoy life rather than the stigma that will move with them from when they are born.”
