Technology-focused rehabilitation programme for women in prison
(Rule 42, Chapter 7)
The Change Hub Innovation Centre is a technology-focused rehabilitation programme for women at Langata women’s prison in Nairobi, Kenya, which teaches women coding, web design, computer hardware maintenance and 3D printing. The programme is designed to help women access the increasingly technology-based economy on their release.
The programme was designed to counter gender stereotyping in training and education opportunities for women in prison, and to give them the opportunity to work in the field of technology. Before the introduction of the Change Hub programme, most courses available to women in Langata prison were limited to those traditionally seen as appropriate, such as sewing and tailoring. The classes were set up in 2016 and are taught by university graduates. Participants in the programme attend classes three times a week and have the opportunity to be paid teaching assistants for the next group of students.
For more information see:
https://www.facebook.com/ChangeHubIC/
PRI and TIJ, The rehabilitation and social reintegration of women prisoners, 2019, p. 16.
Pre-sentence reports which recognise women’s complex needs
(Rule 57, Chapter 1)
Following a pioneering, multifaceted project that focused on the experiences of women completing non-custodial sentences in Kenya, the structure and guidelines for social enquiries and pre-sentence reports were amended to incorporate a gender-sensitive approach. The guidelines were produced using feedback from relevant stakeholders, as well as probation offices in two pilot locations in Kenya (Kisumu and Nakuru).
The revised Guidelines for social investigations and pre-sentence reports of the Kenya Probation and Aftercare Service provide detailed guidance on what information needs to be collected through a social inquiry or investigation process to produce pre-sentence reports. The Guidelines recognise the complex needs which women in contact with the law may have in relation to their economic survival, caring responsibilities, experiences of domestic or sexual violence, or other abuse during their lives which may have had a direct or indirect link to the offence.
The key thematic areas that the probation officer needs to pay particular attention to are:
- Family and social life, including any caring responsibilities and living circumstances prior to arrest;
- Education and economic status, including employment status, means of subsistence, skills and qualifications;
- Health and medical issues, including pregnancy, mental health, drug and substance use, as well as any prior experience or risk of domestic violence or other abuse; and
- Previous conflict with the law noting the developmental stages of conflict.
For more information see:
PRI, Guidelines for social investigations and pre-sentence reports, 2017.
PRI, Gender-sensitive community service and probation: Model for Reform, 2017.