Naivasha prison turns inmates’ lives around

By ANTHONY GITONGA

The Naivasha Prison conjures up a picture of confined hardcore criminals, rapists and murderers.

Since it was opened in 1969, the prison has hosted thousands of criminals according it its dreaded status, which is incidentally the biggest in East Africa.

However, in recent years, the institution has become a source of inspiration and hope to many inmates. Torture and detention have been replaced by high discipline and education.

Three months ago, the prison opened the heavy dark door to prisoners’ relatives in what turned out to be a highly emotional day.

Early last year, two inmates who had been set free returned to seek admission in education programme as day scholars.

And with the ongoing prison reforms and the open-door policy, various partners have embraced the need to reform inmates.

Their efforts are paying off. Currently, the prison is considered a role model among other correctional facilities. In 2008, the number of inmates in the education centre was 200 and the figure now stands at 1,300.

The Officer-in-charge Patrick Mwenda is credited with the latest turn-around but attributes the success to his staff. When he was posted in early 2008, Mr Mwenda admits things were not all that rosy and urgent changes were needed.

"We had tens of IDPs who had fled to the prison grounds and we needed to assist them restart their lives," he says.

With a capacity of 1,500, the penal institution has close to 3,000 inmates majority of them on death row.

Inmates at the Naivasha GK prison line up to receive diplomas in Theology studies. About 1, 300 inmates in the correctional facility are now attending classes. [PHOTOS: ANTHONY GITONGA/STANDARD]

He says impunity was deeply rooted as some inmates and warders involved in illegal deals opposed reforms.

He praises the Government for implementing prison reforms both for the inmates and warders. "Unlike the past when prisoners slept on the floor, this time round they have mattresses, blankets and proper meals," he says.

He says education has played a major role in reforming the inmates. Despite various challenges like lack of qualified teachers, learning materials and desks, the number of those seeking to join classes is increasing.

Joined university

Mwenda says the prison board review should be reactivated for reformed inmates facing life sentence to be given a second chance.

The prison’s welfare officer Douglas Mugendi says despite offering other vocational courses like carpentry and metal work, majority of the inmates prefer learning.

"We have established majority of those who came to prison are illiterate and this could have been one of the reasons for them joining crime," he adds.

He notes it is rare for an inmate who has served over 20 years to return to prison, adding those who do are petty offenders.

"Our research has established that education has played a major role in reforming inmates and we are committed to providing them with all the necessary support," he says.

The principal of the school, Mr Bonventure Mutari, concurs that things in the prison have changed drastically.

Mutari, who has stayed in the prison for the last 20 years, has risen from an inmate to the ‘principal’.

More than 100 inmates have so far received diplomas in theology and counselling while many others are in class seeking degrees.

HIV testing and counselling has been another major project. Mwenda admits cases of homosexuality are still there, but counselling has played a major role in fighting the vice.

"The vice is there and very secretive but we have counsellors among the inmates who are doing a great job," he says.

The staff has not been left behind. Already, 68 houses are complete for the staff as several other blocks near completion.

With the changes and reforms, some inmates have hit the limelight. In November 2010, an inmate Kaberia Itaaru, 51, wrote a book that is being reviewed for publication. Peter Kamau Ndung’u, 32, who is on life sentence, became the first prisoner to graduate as a Certified Public Accountant .

Earlier last year, Tony Mabuka was set free after scoring an impressive A- in the 2008 KCSE. He has since joined the University of Nairobi.