Next month, one of the largest groups of prisoners who returned to school will graduate with law degrees. The Department of Correctional Services announced that 56 prisoners and several prison officers will receive their degrees from the University of London.
These individuals took advantage of scholarships provided by Justice Defenders, a registered NGO in the UK and the US, which has partnered with the University of London to offer distance learning degree courses in Kenya and Uganda. Justice Defenders also supplied essential academic and administrative support.
“On 26th November 2024, we will celebrate a major milestone as 56 inmates and prison officers graduate with a degree in law, courtesy of the University of London,” said Salome Beacco, the Correctional Services Principal Secretary. “This achievement highlights our strategy of employing higher education as a rehabilitation pathway.” Beacco made these remarks during the correctional service week in Nairobi. Notably, among the programme’s distinguished graduates is former South African President Nelson Mandela, who pursued studies while imprisoned.
Graduates of the programme often assist fellow inmates with their legal cases, making submissions to the court on their behalf. Education lead Brenda Ambani noted that the programme began in 2013. “At the beginning of each semester, we sit down as a team with the prison service. We work out the timetables so that everybody is aware,” she explained in a writeup shared by Justice Defenders. “Of course, we have to abide by the prison rules, for example, only meeting in the morning and then between 2 PM and 4 PM. We work closely with the prison officers who help facilitate the movement of people for the classes.”
The University of London law degree is equivalent to that pursued by students globally. Kenyan students are required to have a cumulative mean grade of C+ in the KCSE and a B in English or Kiswahili. The theme for this year’s correctional week is “Mental Health Wellness for Effective Service Delivery.” Beacco mentioned that the corrections service teaches inmates various critical subjects, including financial management, emotional intelligence, and mental, spiritual, and physical wellness through workshops, training sessions, and community outreach programmes.
“We have also placed a strong emphasis on holistic wellness — covering mental, spiritual, and physical health,” she added. Beacco pointed out that correctional officers face unique challenges in managing the emotional strain and stresses of their work, and if these challenges go unaddressed, it could compromise their professionalism.
