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Global Hand Washing Day

Today, 15 October, marks Global Hand Washing Day. It will be a particularly special day in the lives of the prisoners and prison officers, including their families, living in Nakifuma Prison Community. For them, hand washing was considered a luxury before the inception of the “Water for Improved Health and Hygiene” project in July, 2016.

Celebrating education in prison

As the start of a new academic year steps into full swing, once again we’re ready to kick off our legal education programme which we run in partnership with the University of London (UoL) , with many students moving up in their studies along with a new cohort of students joining the programme.

Kenyan court finds mandatory death sentence unconstitutional

The High Court in Kenya has ruled that the mandatory death sentence in relation to capital offence is unconstitutional.A petition was filed by APP law student, Wilson Kinyua, and 11 other death row prisoners serving their sentences at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, challenging conflicting sentences given to similar offences resulting in a breach of their right to be treated equally.

"In my 15 years of service, I have not heard or seen about anything like this"

"In my 15 years of service in the health sector, I have not seen or heard about anything like this. Because of APP, we are here today, in the same room with the Resident Judge for the Lango Sub Region, the Prisons Administration, the Police, Health and Local Government officials, all in one room. A multi sectoral approach is key to success..."

Justice from an unlikely place

I saw two boys standing at the main entrance of Kamiti prison as I approached the security check-out point. I’d just concluded a routine visit to some of the law students (both staff members and prisoners) that my organisation supports.As I approached the checkpoint, they broke into wide smiles. I quickly realised these smiles were not directed at me, but at Peter Ouko – the inmate walking me to the checkpoint. It was an open-day for prisoners’ families, so I assumed the smiley boys were Peter’s relatives...

Celebrating International Women's Day: Accelerating progress towards access to justice for women

Clients released during Kenya Judiciary's review of sentences

We train paralegals and lawyers within defenceless communities to provide legal services for themselves and others. In the midst of the current crisis, our justice defenders are able to continue their work amongst our communities contributing to the review process of the Kenya Judiciary to ensure equal justice for all.

Fighting for the rights of mothers with postpartum depression.

Rose, like many mothers across the world, experienced depression. With a lack of medical care, she was treated unfairly by the law. Thanks to our work, she is reunited with her daughter.

From death row to presidential palaces. One woman’s incredible fight for justice.

Having graduated with a law degree while incarcerated, Susan now travels the world campaigning against the death sentence.

“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. 

Punitive 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.

The 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. 

What'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'.

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.

“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.