During the pass-out parade of cadets at the Prisons Service Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, President William Ruto called for the implementation of alternative dispute resolution measures for minor offences to alleviate the overcrowding of prisons.
President Ruto highlighted that over 10,000 prisoners are serving sentences of less than three years and suggested that alternative measures be considered for relatively minor sentences. He urged stakeholders in the justice value chain to implement alternative dispute resolution and consider alternatives to imprisonment.
Furthermore, President Ruto pointed out that 41 per cent of the prison population is awaiting trial for bailable offences, and he urged the Judiciary to provide leadership in the matter while the Attorney-General initiates necessary engagements.
The President emphasized the need for a shift in the correctional services model from punishment and retribution to rehabilitation and correction. He stated that this shift has the potential to open up key possibilities in his government’s development agenda while addressing overcrowding in prisons, freeing up land in urban centers for critical public services, and providing more space to accommodate the prison population and training facilities.
President Ruto instructed the cabinet secretaries responsible for Interior and Public Works to urgently develop a prisons masterplan that will be used to identify and develop new prison sites. He noted that this will provide ample opportunities to impart necessary skills, training, and education through correctional services in the spirit of rehabilitation and reform.
The pass-out parade witnessed the graduation of 222 cadet officers, including 84 female cadets and 27 serving officers.
