State Department for Correctional Services Commissions New Housing Units at Shimo la Tewa GK Prison
Dr. Salome Beacco, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Correctional Services, inaugurated 100 new housing units at Shimo la Tewa GK Prison on Friday, marking a significant step in the government’s initiative to enhance the living conditions of prison officers.
The commissioning event is part of a broader national plan to build 28,000 housing units across the country, aimed at ensuring that every prison officer resides within the prison premises. Dr. Beacco highlighted that this initiative aligns with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to provide modern and affordable housing for public servants.
In her address, Dr. Beacco reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of prison officers and modernizing prison infrastructure. “We want to see how progressively we can improve the houses for the Prison Officers,” she said, underscoring the importance of public participation in the housing development process. She assured that officers would be consulted to provide input on the types of housing units they prefer.
Dr. Beacco also emphasized the collaborative effort between the State Department for Correctional Services and the Ministry of Housing, illustrating a comprehensive, whole-of-Government approach to achieving these goals. The partnership aims to not only address housing but also modernize prison industries and mechanize prison farms as part of the BETA framework, thereby equipping offenders with contemporary skills for increased productivity.
In addition to the housing project, the PS announced plans to recruit more prison officers in phases to bolster security across correctional facilities. During her visit, she also took the opportunity to address issues of financial management and integrity among officers. “I encourage you to manage finances and family well,” she advised, stressing the importance of ethical conduct and prudent financial practices.
Later in the day, Dr. Beacco visited Kwale Probation Station, Kwale Main Prison, and the Women’s Prison. At these facilities, she reiterated the importance of combating corruption and ensuring that officers adhere to their professional responsibilities.
Addressing the inmates, Dr. Beacco also pledged to work towards expediting the judicial process to reduce case backlogs and alleviate prison overcrowding, in line with recommendations from the Maraga Report.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in the State Department’s ongoing efforts to improve both the welfare of officers and the conditions within the nation’s correctional facilities.
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