The Government is developing a comprehensive plan to transform prison farms and industries into commercially viable enterprises to boost production, generate revenue and strengthen the rehabilitation of offenders.

Principal Secretary (PS) for Correctional Services, Dr Salome Beacco, said the reforms would modernise existing facilities, introduce more productive ventures such as agribusiness and make prison-based enterprises more sustainable.

Speaking during a meeting with directors of the Prisons Revolving Fund, Dr Beacco said the transformation would enable prison farms and industries, to contribute more effectively to the national economy, while supporting rehabilitation and skills development among inmates.

She said the government was considering investing in modern equipment for farms and industries to increase production, improve efficiency and enhance the profitability of goods produced within correctional facilities.

The plan will involve developing appropriate fiscal policies to improve revenue management, retention and reinvestment in the enterprises.

Dr Beacco said revitalising prison-based economic activities would help expand their operations and ensure income generated is reinvested to support continued growth.

The proposed reforms are expected to strengthen the role of correctional institutions in equipping offenders with practical skills, improving their prospects of reintegration into society and reducing dependence on public funding.

Dr Beacco credited correctional officers for her recent recognition with regard to Transformational Leadership of the Year 2026 in Kenya at the Africa Champions Awards.

Receiving the Award at her office, the PS said the recognition reflected the collective efforts of officers working to improve the country’s correctional system.

She dedicated the honour to staff across the Department, including duty and documentation officers, probation officers, officers-In-Charge of correctional facilities, prison industry and farm managers, as well as regional and county directors.

“I wish to dedicate this Award to all of you; from the duty officers to documentation officers; from probation officer II, OICs, industry and farm managers, to regional and county directors; indeed, all of us,” she said.

Dr Beacco said correctional officers played a critical role in balancing institutional security, discipline and public safety with rehabilitation, respect for human dignity and the reintegration of offenders into their communities.

She added that their commitment to service was increasingly gaining recognition beyond Kenya.

Africa Champions Awards, Chief Executive Officer, Fredrick Kyalo, said Dr Beacco was honoured for her transformational reforms within the country’s correctional system and their impact.

The Award was presented during the platform’s Ninth Edition gala ceremony, held over the weekend under the theme “Celebrating Visionaries, Transforming Africa”.

Pan-African Awards recognise leaders, organisations and institutions for their contributions to governance, excellence and spearheading Sustainable Development Goals across politics, business and civil society.

The recognition comes as the State Department for Correctional Services pursues reforms aimed at improving institutional performance, expanding rehabilitation opportunities and making prison farms and industries more productive and financially sustainable.

 by Joseph Ng’ang’a