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At least 2 500 cadets and recruits of Kenya prisons service have been matriculated to Kenyatta University for a Security and Correctional Science course in an arrangement between the two institutions.
The trainees will take between nine and thirteen months to study either a certificate, diploma or post diploma course and are expected to graduate on July 2016.
Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olive Mugenda who presided over the ceremony that was held at prisons staff training college in Ruiru Wednesday, said the course will improve the officers’ attitude and character when going on with their duties.
“The knowledge they will acquire will enable them counsel the prisoners in their work,” she said.
The VC urged more officers to enroll in order to continue pursuing their dreams while still building the nation saying due to technological advances, some of the courses can be taken online through the KU digital school.
She added that the institution is devising a way of starting master programme in the course for over 90 cadets that are currently studying post graduate diploma.
Commissioner of Kenya prisons, Isiah Osugo said the programme is good and that in future they will expose the recruits to, among other courses, prison administration, sociology and criminology.
He urged them to observe discipline, integrity and professionalism as they continue with the course.
“If you don’t succeed in your education then you have failed in your training as the performance will be evaluated on how you will manage the 56 000 inmates countrywide,” Osugo told the trainees.
On a light note, Osugo said the government is working to implement parole so that obedient inmates can be allowed to visit their families in future.
“There is parole that allows inmates to be allowed some time with their families and we are working on it but will Kenyans return? That is the problem with Kenyans,” he said.
