Kisii County Women representative Janet Ongera has called on prison police officers to stop harassing prisoners serving jail terms.
Ongera speaking at Kisii Main Prison on Thursday said prisoners are human beings who should be guided like any other person.
“It is sad that the prison officers harass prisoners especially women who are serving their jail terms at this facility. I wish to tell the officers in charge of prison that prisoners should be guided to rectify their mistakes and turn to be good people in the society once they finish their jail terms,” Ongera said.
She called on prisoners not to allow the officers to subject them into torture and intimidation.
“Prisoners should not hide from reporting any torture and harassment to the senior officers in charge of the facility in case they are being harassed by junior officers. Being a prisoner is not the end of life. Prisoners should leave prison changed people to help in transforming and building the country,” she stated.
Ongera promised that throughout her tenure she will be visiting prisoners to encourage them and ensure they get essential skills which will enable them earn a living once they complete their jail term.
However, officer in charge of the women prisoners Emily Odhiambo defended the wardens saying that they committed to ensure the prisoners' behaviours change before they leave the facility.
"As officers we are dedicated to ensure prisoners changes behavior and gets proper skills which will enable them be good people in the society," said Odhiambo.
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