Inmates at Vihiga County Prison were treated to a rare opportunity of meeting and interacting with their close family members and friends. The event termed as prison open day gives inmates a chance to bond with their family members.
Mary Khaemba the Prisons department director of rehabilitation in the Western region says the day is very important in the prisons calendar and it’s held annually.
She said prisons for many years ware taken as a dumping site, where all manner of criminals were dumped and forgotten, adding that the department will come up with other programs to empower inmates when they are released.
“We have 8000 inmates going through education programme and over 5000 inmates going through vocational training across the Country that gives them skills to add value to the society,” said Khaemba.
She added that they do a lot of Psychological counselling, knowledge empowerment and spiritual nourishment to make them understand themselves and know how to leave with people.
Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo advised the inmates when they come out of the prison to create groups and go for affirmative action funds to start up businesses.
He noted that inmates from this facility have earned many skills in carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring and they must be helped financially to start up their lives once again.
“When you leave this place go out there create groups and approach me I will give you funds to start up small businesses that will help you pick up your pieces and move on with your lives,” Ottichilo said.