All Updates
Africa Legal - Changing the narrative for legal services
In The Gambia, the small population might lead one to believe that all is well within the criminal justice system, but there are still countless injustices that need to be addressed, writes Paul Ogemba.
Read MoreAfrica Legal - Real super heroes defending the defenceless
Africa Legal speaks with William Okumu about the criminal justice system in Kenya; he is a justice defender helping hundreds of vulnerable people who cannot otherwise access legal representation, writes Paul Ogemba.
Read MoreVoice of America – Kenyan Aid Group Hopes to Bring Justice Closer to the Defenceless
Just two months ago, Isaac Ndegwa was behind bars serving a 14-year sentence for a robbery and violent crime. Now released, he speaks to Voice of America as a Justice Defenders legal intern.
Read MoreRighteous Convictions with Jason Flom – Alexander McLean on providing greater access to justice and the rule of law throughout Africa and beyond
Alexander McLean discusses justice across the world with American music executive Jason Flom.
Read MoreCNN – One lawyer's mission helping the incarcerated inspires global movement
CNN's Anderson Cooper introduces Alexander McLean as a Champion for Change. A programme shining a spotlight on the innovators, changemakers and pioneers who are challenging the status quo to improve the lives of others.
Read MoreBBC World Service – Morris Kabeira discusses the death penalty
From death row to Justice Defender legal officer. Following the abolishment of the death penalty in Sierra Leone, Morris Kabeira discusses the need for capital punishment to end across Africa.
Read MoreFormer Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams talks mental health with Alexander McLean
Justice Defenders Founder and CEO Alexander McLean chats with Rowan Williams during the Never Alone Global Mental Health Summit.
Read MoreA break in the clouds: silver linings from 2021
Justice Defenders Founder and CEO Alexander McLean reflects on the successes from our year. He shines a light on how the team inside and outside of prison have overcome adversity through bravery, humility and solidarity.
Read MoreCelebrating Black academic excellence
This month, as we celebrate with our 28 University of London students who have recently received their exam results, it gives us pause to reflect.
Read MoreOur manifesto: responding to the grassroots need for justice in the US and beyond
As we respond to the mandate of the people, we remain grounded by our values of solidarity, humility, and bravery. To navigate the immense opportunities to scale our work, we are listening deeply to the grassroots need.
Read MoreVoices 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.
Read MoreAn 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.
Read MoreJustice 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.
Read MoreSix 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.
Read MorePunitive sentencing for petty offences; vestiges of colonial times.
In East Africa young people are persistently caught up in drug trafficking, loitering and pickpocketing charges, resulting in long periods in prison. Here Draconian laws still apply, yet to be reviewed for the 21st Century. So laws often criminalise and marginalise the people with least in society.
Read MorE“My 13-year imprisonment was a setup. They never wanted us to get married.”
Despite having the paperwork to prove Emily’s age and his innocence, Simon was convicted of aggravated defilement. No court would hear his appeal, so Simon spent 13 years in prison for a crime he, and Emily, says he didn’t commit.
Read MorEThe law: Enforcing it, breaking it, studying it. One man's journey
When he used to work as a police officer, Gilbert would take people to prison with little thought about fair trials or sentencing. Until he found himself in conflict with the law he once administered.
Read MorEWhat's the impact of a university degree, if you still have many years left in prison?
Degrees mean extra responsibilities. Four students and graduates in Kenya and Uganda have been promoted to the highly trusted position of 'trusteeship'.
Read MorEReconciliation 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.
Read MorEAdapting 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.
Read MorE“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.
Read MorE