Kenya Prisons Service key terms

The national correctional agency established under the Prisons Act to keep persons committed to its custody, manage prisons, and support offender rehabilitation and reintegration across Kenya.

The principal statute governing the establishment, administration and discipline of prisons in Kenya, setting out the powers of officers and the treatment of persons in custody.

A custodial facility for young offenders, typically aged between fifteen and eighteen, where education, training and character reform are emphasised instead of ordinary imprisonment.

The chief executive officer of the Kenya Prisons Service, responsible for command, discipline, policy implementation and accountability for all prisons and staff under the Act.

The senior officer commanding an individual prison or institution, accountable for its security, order, welfare of inmates, staff discipline and implementation of standing orders.

Written internal directives issued to guide day-to-day prison operations, including security routines, inmate handling, searches, counts and emergency procedures, supplementing the Act and rules.

Subsidiary regulations made under the Prisons Act that prescribe detailed treatment of inmates, discipline, offences, visits, correspondence and complaint procedures.

The duty to keep every person lawfully committed in prison securely confined and accounted for, preventing escape, injury or unlawful release until a lawful authority orders discharge.

The written authority, issued by a court or other competent body, directing that a named person be received and detained in prison for a stated period or until further order.

The officer or panel that receives and records a new inmate, verifies committal documents, conducts searches, notes property and health issues, and classifies the person for placement.

A formal roll call in which inmates or staff are counted and physically verified against records at specified times to confirm that all persons are accounted for.

The unlawful departure of an inmate from lawful custody, a serious prison offence that triggers security alerts, investigation, disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution.

The controlled and proportionate application of physical restraint or other means by prison officers, permitted only when necessary to prevent escape, harm or serious disorder.

The separate confinement of an inmate from the general population for safety, discipline, health or investigative reasons, subject to legal limits on duration and conditions.

The process of assessing each inmate's security risk, sentence, health and needs so as to assign appropriate accommodation, work, programmes and supervision levels.

The structured orientation given to a newly admitted inmate, explaining prison rules, entitlements, routines, complaint channels and available programmes before joining the general population.

A reduction of an inmate's sentence granted under the law, commonly for good conduct or industry, which shortens the period actually served before release.

The lawful release of an inmate from custody on completion of sentence, on court order, on pardon or on other legal authority, with records and property properly settled.

The planned process of helping offenders address the causes of offending through education, work, counselling and treatment so they can live lawfully after release.

The process of supporting a released offender to resume a constructive place in society through family links, employment, housing and community acceptance.

Post-release support and supervision given to former inmates, including follow-up, referrals to services and assistance with employment, to reduce the risk of reoffending.

A transitional residential facility where released or soon-to-be-released offenders live under supervision while adjusting to community life and seeking work.

A court-ordered community sentence in which an offender remains in society under supervision and conditions instead of serving a custodial term.

A non-custodial sentence requiring an offender to perform unpaid work for a specified number of hours in the community under supervision.

The channeling of suitable offenders, often first-time or minor cases, away from formal prosecution or custody into counselling, treatment or community programmes.

Agricultural land worked by inmates under supervision to produce food and income for the prison, providing skills training and useful occupation.

Workshops and production units inside prisons where inmates manufacture goods or provide services, earning skills and contributing to institutional self-sufficiency.

Work performed by prisoners in farms, workshops or other prison enterprises, regulated by law and rules on hours, safety, health and fair treatment.

Practical skills instruction in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, masonry or agriculture, intended to give inmates marketable skills for employment after release.

The medical, nursing, mental health and preventive care provided to inmates, delivered to standards comparable to those available in the wider community.

The qualified health professional responsible for examining inmates, diagnosing and treating illness, certifying fitness for work or confinement and advising on health conditions.

The duty to protect inmates' wellbeing, covering food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation, exercise, family contact, religious needs and protection from harm.

The provision of adequate, safe and balanced food and clean water to inmates according to prescribed standards, with diets adjusted for health or religious needs.

Organised games, physical exercise and leisure activities offered to inmates to promote fitness, mental wellbeing, discipline and constructive use of time.

A formal examination of a prison's conditions, records, security and treatment of inmates by an authorised body, producing findings and recommendations for improvement.

The formal channels through which inmates or staff can raise grievances and seek redress, including internal procedures, visiting committees and independent oversight bodies.

A body of appointed members who visit prisons regularly, hear inmate complaints, inspect conditions and report findings to the responsible authority.

Adherence by a prison to legal requirements, internal rules and recognised correctional standards on treatment, safety, health and record keeping, verified through audits.

The planning and management of supplies, stores, transport, equipment and food procurement needed to keep prisons running and inmates properly provided for.

The lawful process by which a prison obtains goods, works or services, including planning, tendering, awarding contracts and receiving supplies transparently.

Systematic study of prison populations, operations and outcomes to inform policy, planning, budgeting and improvement of rehabilitation programmes.