Kenya Prisons Service flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Article 239 national security organ

Constitutional provision listing the Kenya Prisons Service among national security organs, alongside the Defence Forces and National Intelligence Service, under civilian authority.

Prisons Act Cap 90

The principal statute governing the establishment, functions, discipline and treatment of prisoners in Kenya, supplemented by the Kenya Prisons Service Act, 2022.

Commissioner-General of Prisons

The chief executive of the Service, responsible for command, discipline, administration and reporting to the Cabinet Secretary on all prisons matters.

Nelson Mandela Rules

The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, setting benchmarks on accommodation, health, discipline, solitary confinement and vulnerable groups.

Bangkok Rules

UN rules addressing the specific needs of women prisoners, including gender-sensitive health care, maternal care and reduced use of solitary confinement.

Remission of sentence

A statutory reduction of a prisoner's sentence for good conduct and industry, forfeitable as a disciplinary sanction under the Prisons Act.

Power of Mercy

Presidential power to pardon, commute, remit or respite a sentence, exercised on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy.

Parole Board

Body that considers and recommends release of eligible prisoners on licence before sentence completion, based on conduct and rehabilitation progress.

Board of visitors

Appointed body for each prison that inspects conditions, hears inmate complaints, and reports findings to the Cabinet Secretary.

Public Service Commission role

Constitutional body that appoints, promotes and disciplines public officers, including prison officers, and hears appeals on such decisions.

Prisons Staff Training College

Institution providing initial and continuing training for prison officers in drill, law, human rights, custodial procedures and corrections management.

Officer-in-charge

The senior officer commanding an individual prison station, responsible for custody, discipline, welfare and implementation of programmes.

Code of Conduct

Set of standards governing officer behaviour, including integrity, use of force, treatment of inmates and handling of gifts and conflicts of interest.

Muster and headcount

Scheduled counting of prisoners at defined intervals to verify custody, with discrepancies triggering immediate lock-down, search and reporting to headquarters.

Admission register

Official record documenting each prisoner's committal warrant, identity, personal details, health screening, classification and date of admission.

Classification of prisoners

Separation by legal status, sex, age and risk level to determine security category, accommodation and access to programmes.

Use of force principle

Force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate and minimal; firearms are used only where lesser means fail and life or security is at risk.

Contraband control

Measures to prevent prohibited items entering prison, including search of persons, cells, vehicles and parcels, and supervision of visits.

Dynamic security

Security approach relying on positive officer-inmate relationships, intelligence gathering and observation, complementing physical and procedural controls.

Escape prevention

Combination of physical barriers, procedural controls such as counts and searches, and intelligence to prevent prisoners from leaving lawful custody.

Vocational trade certification

Award of recognized trade qualifications to inmates completing training in carpentry, tailoring, welding and similar skills, assessed by examining bodies.

Prison farms

Agricultural units operated by the Service to produce food and train inmates, with records on yields, inputs and contribution to station rations.

Inmate labour rules

Work must be lawful, humane, within health capacity, not punitive beyond sentence, and aligned with skills development and rehabilitation.

Public Procurement Act

Law governing procurement and asset disposal by public entities, including prisons, setting methods, thresholds, approvals and records.

Health screening at admission

Mandatory medical assessment on entry to detect illness, injury, mental health needs and fitness, and to plan care and work restrictions.

Medical confidentiality

Health staff share only fitness-for-work and attendance information with custodial officers; clinical details remain confidential to the clinical relationship.

Death in custody procedure

Notification of death, preservation of records, post-mortem examination and inquest under the Inquests Act, with reporting for inspection.

Nutrition scales

Minimum dietary standards set per prisoner category, with special diets for medical, religious or other justified needs.

Prison sports programme

Organized recreation including football, volleyball, athletics and board games, used for health, discipline, teamwork and reduced idleness.

Inspection record books

Registers such as the punishment book and inspection book that document lawful custody, discipline and oversight findings for compliance evidence.

Natural justice in discipline

Disciplinary proceedings require notice of charges, a hearing, the right to be heard and reasons for decision, with a right of appeal.

Performance contracting

Framework linking the Service's targets to station and directorate targets, assessed through the national performance contracting system.