Latest News

APP's 10 year Birthday: Interview with Brenda Simpson

As APP is turning 10 this month, we thought it would be a great time to catch up with her!

Release: Rahab Nyawira

On the 15th of September 2017, Rahab Nyawira, one of APP’s paralegals was released from Lang’ata Women’s Prison after six years behind bars.

World Health Day: Coping with Depression in Prison

Depression: Let’s Talk! This is the theme for World Health Day this year which is commemorated on 7th April. At least once, prisoners will experience depression at different levels of severity. In line with the theme for this year’s World Health Day, some of the beneficiaries used these initiatives as a platform to talk about their life in prison and how these initiatives have helped them cope with depression.

Michael Irungu: a story of loss and gain

Michael Irungu’s perspectives could not have been better. Where half of Kenya’s population live below the poverty line, being born into a wealthy family has its perks. After finishing primary school, Michael had the chance to visit Alliance High School, one of the prestigious secondary schools in Kenya. Despite this, Michael would never gain the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education from this nor from another high school. Bad company forces Michael to lose his way.

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day is a time to appreciate and support poets and poetry around the world.Yearly, it is held on March 21 and is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

APP meets with Ban Ki-moon at Strathmore University, Kenya

On 15th February 2017, we had the privilege of meeting the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, at a conference held at Strathmore University where he was due to deliver a keynote speech later that afternoon.

I made 44 friends in Kenya’s prisons and they taught me more than I taught them

When I arrived in Nairobi on New Year’s Eve in 2015, I didn’t know what to expect. A city I had never visited before or had any familiarity to was going to be my home for a year. Its people, unpredictable weather, public transportation and food were all very foreign to me. All I knew was that I had come to teach law in Kenya’s prisons. This was a bit much for my family to process who were in denial of my endeavours until the night they bade me farewell at the airport.

APP in Rebel Education

Last summer, Al Jazeera started filming Rebel Education, a six-part documentary series looking at innovative learning models that are challenging the dominant ideas of education - particularly within challenging environments.We're really excited that episode 5 will feature African Prisons Project...

Holding the chains of others, he broke his own free

On the morning of 25 October 2016 Pete Ouko was released from Kamiti Prison in Nairobi where he has spent the past 18 years of his life. Pete’s dedication to his prison community, and his desire to make an impact on the world in spite of where he found himself,ultimately won him his freedom.

A Vision for Justice Through Eyes that Have Cried: Strategic Litigation from the Margins

Challenging parliament to improve sentencing guidelines for people with mental health conditions in Uganda

Access to justice is a fundamental human right and a critical mechanism to combat a wide range of human rights violations. Yet, in Uganda, countless individuals who lack the means to secure legal representation face an uncertain future.

“I always looked forward to proving society wrong.”

Meet Phionah. She is part of our unlikely community. Her commitment to justice led her to serve clients alongside fellow paralegals, both incarcerated women and prison officers.

Expanding outside of prisons. Disrupting the poverty-to-prison pipeline in Nairobi.

The lack of meaningful access to justice impacts nearly two of every three people worldwide. The cost is greatest for those with the least. Our first-ever legal office, based outside of a prison, is a game-changer.

Poem: A call to bridge the path towards justice.

A message of hope in Uganda from Alex Byamukama.

A day in the life of a Justice Defenders Legal Officer: Kenneth Kugonza in Uganda

Kenneth Kugoza works in mid-central Uganda, helping those facing injustice. He shares how he spends his day across multiple prisons.

Allyship beyond perceived differences.

Three prison officers overcome perceived differences in service of those in prison. This unique show of solidarity is truly what makes the fabric of our community a unique tapestry of allies.

Reforming the Sexual Offences Act: securing proportionate sentencing.

Success as Justice Defenders paralegals ensure judges are able to use their discretion to sentence people convicted of sexual offences.

The unlikely activists. Reforming the criminal justice system from behind prison bars.

Success as Justice Defenders paralegals secure rights for suspects with mental disabilities.