Constable Joaquim Juma
From Guarding Prisoners to Studying Beside Them
When Prison Constable Joaquim Juma joined the Justice Defenders programme in 2016, he saw it as an opportunity to grow in his work. What he did not expect was that it would transform how he saw the very people he guarded.
“The process of acquiring the LLB degree was very tough,” Joaquim recalls. “At some point I thought of giving up. But surprisingly, it was the inmates who encouraged me to continue. Some of them even guided me and taught me. That is when I realised that even the inmates can be very resourceful.”
For Joakim, studying alongside people in prison changed everything. What began as a professional challenge became a lesson in humanity and humility. “I used to view them negatively,” he says. “But my perception changed. Through them, I was able to succeed in the programme despite all the challenges.”
Earning his law degree taught him that justice is about understanding, not judgment. “We should not condemn someone before they have exhausted all their appeals,” he says. “I am proud to be part of a team that brings about change so that justice can be served to everyone.”
