Communities in the Gusii region have been asked to re-accept back ex-prisoners into their communities after they have completed their jail sentences.
Kisii County Commissioner,Chege Mwangi has challenged local communities to accept back home ex-prisoners,reminding them that after serving their jail sentences they have been reformed and nobody should look at them as criminals.
Speaking at the Kisii GK Main Prison in Kisii town during the tour of the facility by the Principal Secretary,State Department of National Government,Interior and Co-ordination of National Government,Josephita Mukobe,the Commissioner said there was need for local communities to be tolerant nto their sons and daughters who have been released from prisons.
Mwangi also asked ex-prisoners to first notify the local law enforcement agents on the ground,especially chiefs to convene public barazas to welcome them back to integrate with their community members to avert being stigmatized as criminals in the society.
"When you complete your jail sentences,report to the law enforcement agents on the ground,particularly our chiefs to ensure they convene public barazas to inform the local communities that you are now reformed citizens and they should not stigmatize you as criminals anymore,"stated Mwangi.
The Commissioner's sentiments were echoed by Mukobe who warned communities against stigmatizing their own sons and daughters who have completed their jail sentences,instead they should accept them back as reformed and changed citizens set to serve their communities.
"Our probation department is in talks with communities across the country to sensitize them on the need to appreciate and accept ex-prisoners back to the society without stigmatizing them as criminals as they have now been reformed while in the correctional facilities,"stated Mukobe
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