NAIROBI, Kenya — The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring a nationwide plan to establish day care centres in all women’s prisons, in a move aimed at improving the welfare of children living with incarcerated mothers.
Speaking during a meeting with Mary Waceke, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Salome Beacco said the proposal targets all 46 women’s prisons across the country.
Focus on children’s welfare
Dr Beacco said the initiative will see the facilities equipped with day care centres, including play areas and nurseries, to create a more nurturing environment for children growing up within prison settings.
She noted that the programme is designed not only to support the children’s development but also to provide a more stable and enabling environment for mothers undergoing rehabilitation.
“This will ensure children receive proper care while their mothers are able to focus on rehabilitation and vocational training,” she said.
The State Department for Correctional Services is exploring collaboration with partners to have all women prisons in the country equipped with day care centres.Speaking during a meeting with Freedom from Within Kenya Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mary Waceke, Principal Secretary
Rehabilitation through supportive environments
The PS emphasised that improving living conditions within correctional facilities is key to achieving long-term rehabilitation outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as mothers with young children.
In response, Dr. Waceke welcomed the proposal, noting that supportive and humane environments are critical in helping offenders reintegrate into society.
Ongoing projects
Freedom from Within Kenya, in partnership with Triad Foundation, is already implementing similar interventions.
The organisations are currently constructing a dedicated mother-and-child unit at Embu Women’s Prison. The facility is expected to provide a safe and nurturing space tailored to the needs of incarcerated mothers and their children.
Broader reform agenda
The planned rollout signals a broader shift within Kenya’s correctional system towards more humane and rehabilitative approaches, with a growing focus on the welfare of children affected by incarceration.
If implemented, the initiative could significantly transform the prison environment for women and their children, aligning Kenya’s correctional services with global best practices on child protection and offender rehabilitation.
