The Judiciary has launched an initiative aimed at decongesting prisons across the country so as to achieve a sustainable prison population that aligns with the recommended capacity of correctional facilities.
The initiative dubbed the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) was unveiled by Chief Justice Martha Koome on August 12, during a ceremony held at the Industrial Area Remand and Maximum-Security Prison in Nairobi.
In a statement CJ Koome explained that the RRI is designed to address the pressing issue of overcrowding in prisons, which has become a major challenge for the correctional system.
“The Rapid Results Initiative is designed with the primary objective of achieving a sustainable prison population that aligns with the established capacity of our correctional facilities,” said CJ Koome.
“The current state of our prisons is untenable, overcrowded prisons are not conducive to humane living conditions, and without such conditions, the dignity of those incarcerated is compromised,” she added.
Community Service Orders
Furthermore, Koome expressed the Judiciary’s commitment to reviewing sentences and where appropriate, allow convicts to perform community service instead of serving time behind bars.
CJ Koome pointed out that petty offenders should not face incarceration, they should instead be directed toward community service or alternative sentencing options.
She noted that this approach will not only ease the burden on the prison system but also aligns with the government’s environmental conservation efforts.
Through what is termed ‘green sentencing,’ individuals released under Community Service Orders will engage in public duties such as tree planting and environmental restoration.
Under the initiative’s efforts to promote plea bargaining and other diversion strategies convicts will be given a chance to make constructive contributions to society.
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Implementation of the RRI Initiative by the Judiciary
The RRI will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase focusing on reviewing bail and bond terms for un-convicted individuals currently in remand the Nairobi region.
Koome stressed that it is a fundamental principle of justice that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“This is being done based on the appreciation that it is a fundamental principle of justice that un-convicted individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
‘Therefore, un-convicted persons ought not to remain in custody simply because they cannot afford bail or bond.”
The second phase of the RRI involves a continuous review of sentences by judges of the High Court, aimed at achieving a sustainable prison population.
“The review of sentences process is critical in ensuring that our prisons do not become overburdened through overcrowding.”
CJ Koome Issues a Standing Order to Correctional Facilities
To ensure this is achieved, CJ Koome has issued a Standing Order mandating decongestion exercises to be conducted every quarter.
Furthermore, Chief Justice Koome called on the government to develop long-term mechanisms aimed at ensuring that the number of inmates does not spiral out of control.
Also Read: CJ Martha Koome Gives Directive on Courts Adjourning Cases
She underscored the need to reform correctional methods and upgrade the infrastructure of correctional facilities.
“The current facilities were built many years ago and are no longer adequate to meet the needs of our growing population and the evolving nature of crime.”
“There is an urgent need to expand remand facilities and upgrade existing prison infrastructure to reflect current realities,” she said.
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