Latest News

Voices from our paralegals: “Justice means to me…”

Ahead of World Day for International Justice on Saturday 17 July 2021, we asked our trained paralegals in prisons across Kenya and Uganda what justice means to them.‍

An update on our work during Covid-19

With Covid-19 cases on the rise in East Africa, Justice Defenders Country Directors Karen Saidi and Miriam Wachira provide an insight into how our work has been affected.

Justice Defenders' students are shortlisted in the Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition

Having successfully progressed to the next round, Justice Defenders’ students will compete against teams from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Six factors you need to deliver justice

Through exploring our work, Former Commissioner with the UK’s aid watchdog Diana Good identifies the principles needed to deliver justice.

12 days, 12 prison communities.

Prisons are mostly hidden places, unseen and rarely talked about. So we want to take you inside 12 of the prison communities where our defenders live and work. When you look into these prisons, you will see stark realities. But also resilience, courage, and untapped potential. Like leadership skills in the prison staff room. And determination on death row. Our hope is for a world where each of us is equally accountable to and protected by the law.

2020 Virtual Carol Service

In 2020, we celebrated our annual carol service virtually with our communities in Uganda, Kenya, the U.S., and UK.

A chapter of progress, despite the pain.

In a world that seems more connected and divided than ever before, our defenders are using this unique chapter in history to keep the wheels of justice turning.

Black Lives Matter: the role of Justice Defenders in advancing racial equality

Reflections from our founder on our work, the ethos of BLM, and our global reckoning of the costs of racial inequality.

Covid-19 response: a three-part plan

Our response to the pandemic will be three-fold: a fines fund, tech advocacy, and sanitation partnerships.

Reconciliation of self and community

Amateur chef Pepe Ivan Matovu recalls how he found hope, healing and restoration in one of Uganda’s most populous prisons.

Adapting to the pandemic: Reconnecting people in prisons with their loved ones.

For people in prison, visits from family used to offer a moment of reassurance. Connection with the outside world. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, visitations are paused. Isolating many from those they love. Until recently. We’ve worked to repurpose our technology and reconnect families in Kenya.

A family confronting adversity

James’s story brings home the devastating impact of injustice. Arrested along with his mother and brother, their freedom wasn’t the only thing that was taken from them. The family lost their land. A valuable resource which enabled James to feed his children.

“You are successful when you remember that somewhere, someone gave you a gift.”

Sentenced to death for robbery, Joyce tried not to let her sentence define her. While in prison, she found a new love for making clothes.

Paralegals in Kenya and Uganda receive training on bail and appeal procedures from legal experts

Magistrates and legal experts from across the judiciary have come together to share their practical knowledge. Ensuring trainees are immersed into the legal world, even from behind prison bars.

Law books fuel the defence

Inmates at Luzira Prison share how access to quality reading material has helped them prepare their defence for court.

Jane's story: From death row, to paralegal officer

As one of our trained paralegals in Langata Women's Prison in Kenya, Jane is enabling fellow incarcerated women to access essential legal services. Fostering hope for a more just world.

Sarah spent more time in prison before her trial, than if she was sentenced

“Being in prison: days are like months and months are like years.”

Betty is close to completing her law degree from within prison

"Using the knowledge I have acquired from Justice Defenders, I managed to convince the judge in my appeal process, overturning my death sentence."