Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has pledged to hire 1,000 probation officers in order to help reintegrate minor criminals back into society.
During the induction of 600 newly hired probation officers at the Kenya School of Government today Matiang’i noted the government aims to hire 400 more.
“Our focus is the reintegration of offenders into society. You know the second time, third time and fourth time offenders are evidence that our aftercare work is not successful,” he said.
According to the CS, effective reintegration of convicts into society will be measured by a decrease in repeat offenses.
He expressed confidence that, with the addition of the new probation officers, the number of repeat offenders will plummet.
Matiang’i lauded the Judicial Service Commission and the Judiciary, which are led by Chief Legal Martha Koome for incorporating community service into the justice system.
“Let the Chief Justice know that we are ready and prepared to support that drive jointly with the Office of the Public Prosecutor because that is how we are going to decongest our prisons,” he said.
During the induction, officers from the judiciary, including judges, were present.
In the second phase of decongestion, between May and June, Matiang’i hopes to release around 5000 minor offenders from prison and integrate them into the community service program.
“We will succeed because we will have 1,000 probation officers,” Matiang’i said.
He added that the Interior Ministry will reach out to social sector organizations such as faith-based leadership for volunteer probation officers to help with the integration program.
Chiefs and county commissioners will also be brought in to help the probation officers develop strong collaboration networks.
The CS also stated that he will encourage the European Ambassador to help fund the program.