Kenya needs to improve prison conditions

These two years as a reporter shaped both my professional and personal life, marking the beginning of an enduring relationship with Kenya’s people, culture and spirit. Since then, I have returned to Kenya almost every year.

My career has taken me deep into the world of correctional journalism. For more than 26 years now, I’ve contributed to a Norwegian prison magazine. Recently, I also published my book titled “The Norwegian Prison System-Halden Prison and beyond” together with the former governor Are Høidal.

For the last two years, I have also been part of an international cohort of prison experts united by one goal: to transform punitive prison systems into more humane, rehabilitation-focused institutions.

Over the years, I have been honoured to be a keynote speaker at the University of Nairobi’s Victimology Conference during the annual Research Week. This time, I shared insights on Norway’s rehabilitative justice model with the participants.

Inhumane conditions

Overcrowding and inhumane conditions are challenges faced worldwide. Acknowledging these problems is only the first step; what follows must be a sustained, collective effort towards real change. As the discussions at the University of Nairobi emphasised, Kenya’s correctional system has room for improvement.

Together with the conference participants I visited Langata Women’s Prison, which is known for being a maximum security facility with challenging living conditions, but also showing remarkable efforts to offer some training and work opportunities for the inmates.

Langata prison left me hopeful. The women I met, both officers and inmates, showed resilience, intelligence and a deep desire for change. But I was surprised to see 50 babies aged below three years currently living inside the facility with their mothers. This highlights the need to look into the prison system, especially those housing women and children.

 In Norway, the correctional service philosophy is built on three key principles that might inspire reforms in Kenya:

Normality; Life in prison should resemble life outside as much as possible, ensuring rights, responsibility, and normalcy that ease re-entry after release.

Dynamic security; True security arises from trust and dialogue—officers engage daily with inmates, cultivating respect that enhances both safety and rehabilitation.

Import model; Services such as healthcare, education and social support come from civilian agencies, ensuring continuity and community connection after release.

Prison reform

 I believe my beloved second home has the capacity to lead prison reform in Africa. Adopting aspects of the Norwegian model could be transformative for Kenyan prisons. Key reforms might include moving from a punitive to a rehabilitative culture where prison staff interact more with inmates and serve as mentors. This requires investing in staff training, emphasising psychological and social skills alongside security.

Creating conditions inside prisons that resemble outside life—allowing more freedom of movement, access to socially meaningful activities, education, and work training would be good. This could reduce the shock of returning to society and increase chances of success later.

 Norwegian data shows recidivism rates have dropped dramatically—down from 80 per cent to about 20 per cent—because inmates now leave prison with tools, education and personal wish to change their lives. This leads to long-term social and economic savings as former offenders become contributors rather than repeat offenders.

 Of course, changing correctional culture also demands political will and courage. Let us collaborate and work together to build a more just, humane and effective correctional system for Kenya’s future.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.

The writer is an Oslo-based journalist, author and chair of the National Union of Journalists and Editors.