In Kenya, rehabilitation in women’s prisons is moving beyond simple confinement, placing a strong focus on skills, dignity, and reintegration into society.
At Shimo La Tewa Women’s Prison, inmates are learning to craft handbags, necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories, with half of the earnings going directly to them.
Evelyn Kaliti, Senior Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons at the Kenya Prisons Service, says that the process begins the moment a woman arrives. According to her, the facility works to understand each inmate’s background to place her on the most suitable development path. “We conduct interviews at the reception board to assess the individual,” she explains. “This helps us determine where she can develop her skills effectively.”
Once assessed, inmates are introduced to structured training programmes that combine education, practical skills, and entrepreneurship. The prison offers textile projects, formal education, and entrepreneurial training, allowing inmates to produce items that can be sold commercially. Kaliti notes that these activities help the women gain practical experience while preparing them for life beyond prison.
On the workshop floor, many inmates begin with no prior experience. Edith Ngari from the Kenya Prisons Service explains that the training covers a wide variety of skills, including crocheting, embroidery, dressmaking, and knitting. “We start from scratch,” she says. “Women learn to make everything from hats and picnic mats to sweaters, gradually gaining confidence and ability.”
The programme also empowers inmates financially. Women earn a portion of the proceeds from the products they make, fostering independence and a sense of purpose. Kaliti says, “We want them to be self-reliant upon release. Receiving half of the income from their work gives them confidence and the tools to reintegrate successfully into society.”
Emotional support and trust between staff and inmates are also central to rehabilitation. Ngari emphasises the importance of relationships: “We treat the inmates as our sisters. If they encounter a problem, they feel comfortable speaking to us. If I cannot solve it, I refer them to someone who can.”
Through practical skills, financial empowerment, and supportive human connections, Kenya’s prison rehabilitation programme is giving incarcerated women the tools and confidence to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society once they leave prison.
–ChannelAfrica–
