State Department for Correctional Services

The State Department for Correctional Services has reaffirmed its commitment to inmate dignity and rehabilitation following talks between Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco and a delegation from Faraja Trust.

The meeting reviewed ongoing collaboration, explored new joint initiatives and sought Faraja Trust’s partnership for Correctional Service Week 2026.

PS Beacco paid tribute to the late Fr. Peter Meinberg, founder of Faraja Trust, describing his compassionate leadership and lasting contribution to humane correctional services in Kenya.

Central to the discussions was the Triple Decker Bed Initiative, conceived by the late Fr. Meinberg to address congestion in correctional facilities. While 2,000 beds have been installed across three institutions, PS Beacco noted that a shortfall of 56,000 beds, equivalent to over 18,000 triple decker units, still remains, underscoring the need for sustained partnership and investment.

Faraja Trust Executive Director Ms. Astrid Meinberg reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the initiative and announced plans to establish Day Care Centres for children at Nanyuki Women Prison and Shimo La Tewa Women Prison. PS Beacco welcomed the proposal and pledged support through public participation and available design assistance.

The PS also highlighted Correctional Service Week 2026, scheduled for 13th–15th October in Nairobi under the theme, “Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions.”

The Faraja Trust delegation was led by Trustee Mr. Christoph Meinberg, Executive Director Ms. Astrid Meinberg and Programme Coordinator Ms. Christine Odero.

State Department for Correctional Services strengthened its rehabilitation programmes within correctional institutions through a book donation exercise at Naivasha Maximum Prison and Naivasha Women Prison.

The books were received by Naivasha Maximum Prison Officer in Charge Gérard Ongume on behalf of the two institutions. The donation is expected to support educational programmes and improve access to learning materials for inmates as part of the rehabilitation process.

The officers thanked Principal Secretary Dr Salome Beacco for the donation, noting that the books will play a significant role in enhancing learning, personal development, and rehabilitation within the correctional institutions.

https://youtu.be/3JvoHuX4rDU?si=BlxUlzrP4uCHZFjQ

Katibu katika idara ya magereza Dkt. Salome Beacco azuru kituo cha Kilgoris Katibu katika wizara ya huduma za magereza Dkt. Salome Beacco awarai wakenya kuwakaribisha na kuwakubali wafungwa waliokamilisha vifungo vyao bila ubaguzi il...

The State Department for Correctional Services has enhanced the social crime prevention programme, focusing on addressing causative factors of crime.
Speaking in Narok County during a tour of the Kilgoris GK prison and the Kilgoris Probation Station, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the approach is advised by the need to nip the root causes of crime in the bud rather than just reacting to offences.
In a region prone to violent inter-communal conflicts and sex-related offences, the PS said Narok County is one of the regions that the department, through Probation and Aftercare Service, has enhanced crime prevention activities.
She underscored the critical role of probation and aftercare in the criminal justice system, urging officers to uphold professionalism in the dispensation of their duties.
“As professionals, feel encouraged to help communicate that non-custodial measures are not a soft option; they are a smart, structured, and credible form of justice. They promote accountability, provide close supervision, support rehabilitation, and help reduce unnecessary incarceration.” Said the PS.
Addressing officers at the Kilgoris GK Prison, the PS expressed her commitment to ongoing reforms targeting the Kenya Prisons Service, especially on officers' welfare including salaries and housing.
Besides addressing overall officer welfare, the PS said the department has already embarked on a host of programmes aimed at building capacity, mental health support, and professionalism within the service.
While addressing inmates at the facility, the PS said the government is expanding vocational training programs in carpentry, tailoring, welding, and formal education with a view to strengthening the department’s rehabilitation and reintegration agenda.
The PS also donated an assortment of food and non-food items, including mattresses, blankets, wheat flour, and cooking oil to inmates.
During the visit, the PS also led officers and inmates at the Kilgoris GK Prison in a tree planting exercise that saw over 2,000 trees planted.
She was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons in charge of technical services Jane Kirii, Acting Probation and Aftercare Secretary, Shadrack Kavutai, Director industry Mutembei and other senior officers drawn from the state department.

The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) has intensified efforts to ensure coordinated approach in addressing challenges facing access and administration of Justice in the country amid changing crime trends.
Speaking in Nairobi at the 37th Council meeting, NCAJ Chairperson Chief Justice Martha Koome said there was need to scale up both individual and collective efforts to ensure efficient administration of justice that is more people centered.
Addressing members of the council, drawn from a broad coalition of state and non-state actors aimed at reforming the justice system, Koome observed that while the country has some of the most progressive laws, they appear to have failed to fully deter some crimes including sexual related offences.
Addressing the forum, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said the state law office has already constituted an interministerial committee to look at all obsolete laws and those that have been declared unconstitutional to ensure that the laws are responsive.
While making a presentation on the challenges of sexual offences in Kenya, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco informed members of available data within the correctional system indicating high prevalence of sexual related cases coupled with significant barriers to justice for both victims and offenders.
She highlighted defilement as one of the offences that continues to dominate across both custody and community systems, while r**e and gang-related offences continue to show increasing complexity.
She said the obtaining situation continues to pose a major justice and public safety challenge while intensifying pressure on rehabilitation programmes and reintegration efforts.

The State Department for Correctional Services is adopting innovative technologies and strategies as it seeks to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
The move, according to Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, is meant to transform correctional facilities into centers of excellence in renewable energy and modern technology.
Speaking as she briefed senior officers from Probation and Aftercare Service, one of the technical units in the department on the 4th edition of the Correctional Service Week set for October, the PS said the department remains committed to supporting the government in implementing sustainability initiatives to combat climate change and improve the environment.
Themed, Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions, this year’s event slated for 13th to 15th October 2026 will bring together policy makers, practitioners, researchers and academia, development partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations.

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco was among senior government officials who joined Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki during the launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme at Tebe Grounds in Kapyego, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The launch coincided with Kenya’s national celebrations marking the International Day for Biological Diversity, bringing together national and county leaders, environmental stakeholders and local communities in reaffirming the country’s commitment to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Speaking at the event, Deputy President Prof. Kindiki called on all Kenyans to support the Government’s environmental conservation agenda, describing it as both a constitutional duty and a moral obligation for every citizen.

The CHERISH programme, spearheaded by the OKM Foundation under the patronage of Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, seeks to restore and conserve the Cherangany Hills one of Kenya’s five critical water towers while promoting sustainable livelihoods and harmony between communities and nature.

These goals align closely with the State Department for Correctional Services’ ongoing environmental conservation agenda. To date, correctional institutions across the country have planted more than six million trees in support of the Government’s 15 Billion Tree Growing campaign and broader climate action goals.

The event was attended by Cabinet Secretaries, governors, Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament and other senior leaders, reflecting the broad Government commitment to advancing Kenya’s environmental restoration and climate action agenda.