This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, a Kenyan socialite, is spending his Christmas and New Year's holiday far away from his family in Manyani Maximum Prison in Voi. The prison, located 40 kilometers away from Voi town on the Tsavo West National Park, has a notorious history of detaining political prisoners and freedom fighters during the pre and post-independence period.
Manyani Prison's strategic location made it an ideal detention centre, as any prisoner who attempted to escape would be at risk of being attacked by wild animals, including lions known as the 'Man-Eaters of Tsavo.'
According to reports, Jowie was transferred from Kamiti Maximum Prison after an officer revealed that he was caught with contraband. Contraband refers to illicit goods, including items imported or exported illegally.
Correctional facilities take various security measures to prevent contraband from entering prison walls, including background checks, x-ray scanners, and metal detectors for visitors. Some prisons also employ video visitations to closely monitor visits.
Corrections staff may also have to pass through metal detectors or have their belongings searched. To discover contraband already inside prisons, correctional employees conduct random cell searches.
If an inmate possesses contraband, or an outside party or guard smuggles in contraband, they can face criminal charges. Similarly, if a correctional facility catches visitors smuggling in contraband, they can ban the individual from future visits.
