Correctional Services Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Salome Beacco has outlined a comprehensive strategy to align Kenya’s prison system with the UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, emphasizing humane treatment and rehabilitation. During a Nairobi meeting with Faraja Trust officials, Beacco highlighted the He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign, which aims to provide 20,000 triple-decker beds for male inmates to replace overcrowded floor sleeping. This initiative, she stated, enhances reformation efforts by improving health and dignity, with Nairobi West, Mombasa Remand, Kajiado Main, and Kiambu GK Prisons already receiving at least 2,000 beds each. The PS also noted ongoing collaborations to expand mental health support, skills development, and psychosocial services for inmates.
Faraja Trust Executive Director Astrid Meienberg confirmed the organization is advancing plans to equip Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison with beds and construct a daycare center at Nanyuki women’s prison. Additionally, the trust is exploring the feasibility of fabricating triple-decker beds at Nanyuki GK Prison. Beacco reiterated the department’s commitment to addressing overcrowding and recidivism through partnerships, stating, “The welfare initiatives will not only restore human dignity but also improve inmate health.” The campaign, which targets 57,000 male inmates, has already seen significant progress, with multiple facilities benefiting from the project’s implementation.
In parallel, the State Department is expanding access to education and vocational training, as highlighted during a recent meeting with the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO). Dr. Beacco emphasized that formal schooling and TVET/NITA-recognized vocational programs equip offenders with practical skills, improve literacy, and aid social reintegration. The PS requested IDLO’s support to build multi-purpose classrooms with computers, projectors, and solar-powered internet, which would also function as counseling centers and virtual courtrooms. IDLO Representative Adam Njama praised the initiative, pledging assistance to enhance technology-driven access to justice, reduce inmate transport, and expedite judicial processes. This dual focus on infrastructure and education aims to mitigate prison congestion and lower recidivism rates.
The reforms underscore a broader public-interest effort to modernize Kenya’s correctional system, balancing punitive measures with rehabilitation. By integrating international standards, NGO partnerships, and technological innovation, the government seeks to address systemic challenges such as overcrowding, which has long strained prison resources. With 20,000 triple-decker beds slated for distribution and expanded educational opportunities, the initiative reflects a shift toward sustainable inmate reformation. However, challenges remain in scaling these efforts nationwide, requiring continued collaboration between state agencies, civil society, and international partners to ensure equitable implementation across all correctional facilities.