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Graduate: James Osano

I get satisfaction from the fact that I am now able to help others, who like me, are in prison and cannot afford legal representation.

Pascal Kakuru: In His Own Words

There are many dates I will not forget.

Pascal Kakuru: The Law Graduate

If you see the bars, the walls... if you let yourself accept where you are, that is the end. If you asked me how I survived in prison, I don’t know, God knows’.

A Visitor’s Perspective: Pascal Kakuru

In 12 years Pascal has been more than a couple of hundred yards from the room in which he lives only once: the room is a prison cell in Upper Prison, the maximum security wing at Luzira, Kampala - Uganda

When Justice Is Served From Behind Bars

We share the stories of two more of our Graduates - Meschak Ouma and Philip Mueke - who have overcome great challenges to study the law and ensure that justice is served in Kenyan Prisons.

Release: John Bosco Oryem

As an inmate at Upper Prison, in his own words, Oryem said the need to study law was because of his desire to be able to defend the under-privileged population in the courts of law.

Graduates: Willis Ochieng and Peter Kago

Two of our Law Graduates from 2018 - Willis Ochieng and Peter Kago - have carried the roles of prisoner, paralegal, student and teacher. We might find this extraordinary but they are not unique.

From the Pain of Arrest to a Promising Future - One Man’s Story

In my time as a paralegal I have helped a number of inmates receive reduced sentences, while others have been acquitted.

Graduate: Joseph Karanja

Before prison, Joseph had always wanted to study law but had not met the qualifications needed to receive government sponsorship. In prison, his passion only grew deeper…

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.

Annet spent 14 years dealing with the consequences of her husband's death sentence

“My husband committed a crime, so he had to pay for it. Though it put me in a difficult situation.”

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."

Release: Joseph Karanja, pioneer and free man

Joseph Karanja has spent 20 years in prison. He was arrested in 2000 and sentenced to death at his trial in 2001. However, in 2009 he was one of 4,000 prisoners whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

Gilbert Niwamanya

Gilbert, aged 36, is the Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, Kampala, where he’s worked for the past 5 years.

George Karaba

George has spent almost 20 years behind bars. Arrested in 2002, he was sentenced to death in 2006. This was commuted to a life sentence in 2009. In 2018 he graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Law degee [LLB], with support from our Justice Changemaker programme.