MPs raise alarm over prison conditions and rising scams

Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of reforms, citing deplorable living and working conditions, underutilized land, and the rampant rise in scams allegedly run from prisons.

Embakasi Central MP Mejja Donk Benjamin called for an urgent audit of the Appropriations-in-Aid (AiA) account, questioning transparency in how prison-generated revenue is managed.

Committee Chair Eric Karemba demanded clarity on the legal provisions governing inmate labour, challenging the Commissioner to explain whether prisoners are being exploited under the guise of rehabilitation.

“Prisoners could be productive assets. China uses them to build the economy but equips them with skills. What’s your policy framework?” posed Geoffrey Mulanya, advocating for a more structured approach to rehabilitation and economic integration.

In his response, Aranduh maintained that all prison land was being utilized, and the labour by inmates is now rehabilitative and not commercial.

“We do not have idle land; it’s all in use. Inmates are engaged in work for rehabilitation, not production,” he said, adding that the Correctional Services Bill proposing structured labour is still under review.

Tiaty MP William Kamket (Tiaty) raised alarm over widespread scams operated from behind bars and the congestion of prisons. 

“The scamming is rampant and damaging public trust. What concrete measures are in place to stop this?” he questioned.

In response, the Commissioner General acknowledged the growing concern but did not give a definitive strategy, prompting members to urge the service to adopt technology-based monitoring and stricter internal controls to curb fraud. 

The CGP noted that prison decongestion is being addressed in collaboration with the Judiciary through the reallocation of inmates based on the nature of their offenses, but added that more systemic solutions are required.

Maragua MP Mary Wamaua decried the poor condition of inmates and officers alike. “Prisoners are in tatters, almost in nakedness. Our officers live in hardship. Why can’t they receive allowances like teachers?” she asked.

Aranduh acknowledged the shortfall. “We’ve distributed new uniforms countrywide, but the annual budget isn’t sufficient to kit every inmate regularly. Hardship allowance is only given where public service guidelines permit it,” he said.