3,837 Prisoners Set Free To Stop Spread Of Covid19

The government has released a total of 3,837 petty offenders and remandees in an effort to reduce on the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. The move comes after the number of confirmed cases spiked to 110.

“In our efforts to decongest correctional institutions with a view of protecting the prison population against the Coronavirus, the Kenya Prisons Service has released 3,837 prisoners and remandees in concurrence with the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ),” a statement from the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government said.

All those released are petty offenders comprising of 898 who have already served the entirety of their respective jail terms; 2,267 who had their sentences revised by High Courts across the country, while 627 have been freed after their bail/bond terms were reviewed by Magistrates Courts.

These measures have been taken in line with the understanding that close and unprotected interaction/contact between individuals is the single-most contributory factor for the spread of COVID-19. The decision is thus aimed at achieving the recommended one-meter social distancing within our facilities as part of the progressive review of our strategies in combating the global pandemic.

“We remain firmly focused on delivering on our mandate and facilitating the administration of justice efficiently and fairly,”