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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY TO TRAIN PRISON STAFF

Kenyatta University has started working with the Ministry of Home Affairs in training prisoners country wide, the vice – chancellor, Prof. Olive mugenda, says.

The VC encourages prison staff to participate in the university annual career week to interact with the public and educate them on the role of prisons as they learn about the various courses offered at the university.

“Such a forum will help change people's perceptions towards Kenyan prisons,” Mugenda said at the Prisons Staff Training College at Ruiru, during the presentation of certificates to 60 to prison officers countrywide, after they completed a five – day training for trainers (TOT) course that included public relations and curriculum development.

The VC urged more prison staff to seek further education and enhance their career. She said that KU would support officers seek “quality training that will have an impact not only on the trainees but also the overall societal development.”

Since prisons were meant to help reform offenders, the country's rehabilitation centres should change to match with the winds of reforms worldwide, she says, adding that, “the prisons should be more open and inform the public about what happens within the jails.

“Our prisons should move with the times. We will all be happy to see our rehabilitation facilities provide quality services,” the VC articulates, in “ the nature and quality of training,” of senior officers who have great influence on how their juniors interacted with prisoners on the ground.

The society should expect changes soon after the country's 18,000 prison officers start implementing the skills learnt, Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. Isaiah Osugo, says, adding that the public should expect to see a difference among the prison officers.

WITH COURTESY OF KU NEWSLETTER

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