The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring the possibility of collaborating with academic and research institutions to provide volunteer training for correctional officers and offenders, with a strong focus on enhancing financial literacy to reduce recidivism.
This came to light during a meeting with a team from Strathmore University, who visited the office of Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco to donate stationery that will be used in the training of offenders. The donation included 10 cartons of exercise books, 5 cartons of chalk, one carton of Oxford mathematical sets, and one carton of ballpoint pens.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Beacco emphasized the importance of offering specialized training to offenders, noting that the majority of incarcerated individuals come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with low education levels. She highlighted the strong correlation between crime and lack of education, stressing that initiatives like financial literacy training could go a long way in reducing re-offending rates.
“Our goal is to equip offenders with the skills and knowledge they need to reintegrate successfully into society and become productive members. Providing training, especially in financial literacy, will be pivotal in helping them make better choices and avoid returning to crime,” Dr. Beacco stated.
The Principal Secretary also revealed that the department has launched a digitization program that will see all correctional facilities across the country connected to the internet, allowing for virtual learning opportunities for offenders. This initiative aims to modernize the correctional system and provide a broader range of educational resources to those behind bars.
Luis Borrallo, the Director of the Community Service Centre at Strathmore University, expressed the university’s commitment to supporting the State Department for Correctional Services in its reform efforts. He emphasized that Strathmore will also reach out to other partners to bolster formal education within correctional facilities.
“We are dedicated to supporting the government’s efforts to bring education and empowerment to offenders. Through our donation and future collaborations, we hope to make a lasting impact and contribute to the rehabilitation process,” said Borrallo.
The collaboration with Strathmore University marks a significant step toward improving the educational standards within correctional facilities and providing offenders with opportunities for personal growth and reintegration into society. The partnership is expected to play a critical role in reshaping the correctional services sector, with an emphasis on education, skill-building, and reducing recidivism.
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