From death row to the courtroom, Ruth Kamande studied law in prison, graduated with a University of London degree, and now uses her knowledge to help other women access justice.

Susan Kigula was convicted of murdering her partner and sentenced to death, no-one could have imagined that she would study law and free not only herself but hundreds of others from death row…

After 28 years in prison without trial, Alfred Byamukama was released through the work of our paralegals and advocates, challenging prolonged unlawful detention.

Rahab Nyawira, our Legal Clerk in Kenya, shares her powerful story of motherhood, transformation, and second chances on the BBC Dear Daughter podcast. From incarceration to advocacy, Rahab’s journey is a testament to resilience and hope.

Our founder Alexander McLean shares how Justice Defenders trains incarcerated and uniformed community members to become paralegals and lawyers, ensuring every accused person has the opportunity to be heard before judgment.

Amnesty Kenya spotlights our work and calls for second chances, highlighting how legal education and rehabilitation support reintegration and strengthen safer communities.

The University of London celebrates the remarkable achievements of Justice Defenders' law graduates, including 47 prisoners and prison officers earning LLB degrees in 2024. Read more about their inspiring journeys and the transformative power of legal education.

Nation Africa celebrates the seventeen members of our community who graduated with University of London law degrees at Kamiti, marking a milestone in building legal practitioners from within the justice system.

Once sentenced to death, Ruth Kamande has graduated with a University of London law degree inside prison and now serves others through legal practice.

In this PBS NewsHour brief, Alexander McLean shares how Justice Defenders is training incarcerated and uniformed community members to become legal practitioners, ensuring every accused person has the opportunity to be heard before punishment.

The Daily Nation shares paralegal Stanlous Musembi’s journey from incarceration to legal advocacy, as he now supports defendants and advances access to justice from within prison.

Kenya News Agency reports on how Justice Defenders trains incarcerated paralegals to draft appeals, negotiate bail, and support fair hearings, helping reduce prolonged detention and overcrowding in prisons.

Alex Dimba, Tobias Omukuti, and Joseph Lodiaka earned University of London law degrees while incarcerated at Naivasha Maximum Security Prison. They are now using their knowledge to challenge unjust laws and defend the rights of others.

In this CNN segment, Anderson Cooper introduces Alexander McLean and the work of Justice Defenders, where incarcerated and uniformed community members are trained as paralegals to support fair hearings and strengthen justice from within prisons.

Voice of America covers Isaac Ndegwa’s journey from incarceration to legal practice, showing how Justice Defenders equips people in prison to study law, reduce sentences, and support others to access justice.

In this CNN segment, Alexander McLean, founder and CEO of Justice Defenders, discusses how technology has helped the fight for justice during the pandemic.

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour interviews Alexander McLean and Jane Manyonge about the work of Justice Defenders.

In 2019, seventeen incarcerated people and prison officers graduated with University of London law degrees, marking a shared milestone in building professional legal practice from within the justice system.

Premier Christianity shares Alexander McLean’s journey from volunteering in Ugandan hospitals as a student to founding Justice Defenders and building a movement for access to justice from within prisons.

In this Q&A with Forbes, Alexander McLean talks about the Justice Defenders’ work, the loneliness of leadership and what we can learn from those living in poverty.