Warders ordered to end mobile phone use in prisons

Interior Principal Secretary Josephta Mukobe addresses the media at Harambee House on June 27, 2013 before new land rovers were dispatched to various counties to boost security. PHOTO/DENISH OCHIENG

What you need to know:

  • She said the move will curb cell phone related crimes committed by inmates
  • use of cell phones by inmates to commit crimes had earned the prison department a bad name

Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary Josephta Mukobe has directed prison officers to end use of mobile phones by inmates.

She said the move will curb cell phone related crimes committed by inmates.

Ms Mukobe said the use of cell phones by inmates to commit crimes had earned the prison department a bad name.

“Don’t allow prisoners to get access to mobile phones because the use of the gadgets has given room to serious crime cases that must be curbed,” Ms Mukobe said while on a tour at the Kitale G.K Prison.

She also challenged prisoners to uphold high moral standards during and after completion of their sentences in order to be accepted by the society.

“Ex-convicts can only be well accommodated by the society when they exhibit high discipline while serving and after completion of their jail term,” noted the PS.

Ms Mukobe said reformed ex-convicts will change the perception that prisons are centers are just for confining wrongdoers.

“Our goal is to ensure that prisoners don’t just serve their jail terms but also come out as better persons after their jail terms. The challenge is always that most of the ex-convicts resort to their past once they leave the prisons hence making it difficult to be accepted back in society,” said Ms Mukobe.

The PS, who was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Prisons John Mutheri, asked the prisoners to use skills they acquire in prison to start income generating activities to improve their livelihoods after they are released.