Governor Jackson Mandago urges govt to help reformed ex-convicts live better lives

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has called on the government to ensure that prisoners who are certified to have reformed and ready to build the nation are given certificates of good conduct.

He said the government needs to come up with laws that will make it possible for reformed prisoners to be given equal chances of building the nation.

“We are asking the government to ensure those who have served terms and completely reformed are given good chances of living better lives,” Mandago said.

He was speaking Wednesday at the Eldoret Main Prison where he gave out Christmas presents to the over 1500 inmates.

It was the third time the governor visited the prison since 2013.

“It is important that when prisoners prove beyond doubt that they have changed, they are given certificates to show the same so that they can also be employed somewhere,” said Mr Mandago.

ACCEPT AND SUPPORT THEM

Mr Mandago added: “Everyone in our country has a role to play in building this country, ex-prisoners too need to be accepted back and supported to improve their livelihoods.”

He also petitioned the national and county parliaments to craft Bills which will make it possible for those fined in courts to pay the amounts in instalments.

This, he said, will help to decongest prisons across the country.

“Our legislative arms need to come up with laws that will assist those who cannot raise funds to pay in small amounts.

“In many occasions, people are taken to prison because they cannot raise fines demanded by court,” Mandago noted.

The governor disclosed that an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centre will be established at the prison starting 2016.

This will ensure that the little children who are being taken care of by their imprisoned mothers get early education so as to catch up with the world when their parents are released.

“For the mothers taking care of their young ones here, my government will ensure that you have an ECDE unit here starting next year, a nursery will also follow because we all love you,” said Mandago.

He also called on Kenyans to be buying furniture from the prisons department as a way of supporting reforms and better services in the facilities across the country.