CJ Koome signs the Rapid Results Initiative aimed at decongesting prisons

Nairobi, 

Monday, 12 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Chief Justice Martha Koome has officially launched the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) which is aimed at reducing congestion of prisoners at major prisons and Remand centres in Nairobi region. 

The initiative seeks to decongest the Industrial Area Remand and Maximum Prison in order to achieve a sustainable prison population that aligns with the established capacity of correctional facilities. 

The criminal Justice reforms will be executed through review of sentences,plea bargaining and diversion initiatives and where appropriate, releasing of petty offenders to instead perform community service instead of serving time in incarceration.

According to the Chief Justice,Community Service Orders will not only alleviates the burden on the prison system but also serves as an innovative tool for supporting the government's environmental conservation efforts through ‘green sentencing’ programme. 

The Green sentencing initiative commits released persons to perform public duties such as tree planting and environmental restoration. 

The Rapid Results Initiative will be implemented in two phases whereby the first phase will focus on reviewing the bail and bond terms of the un-convicted persons currently in remand within Nairobi region. 

Bond reviews are in line with the provisions of the fundamental principle of justice that un-convicted individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.This will allow Un-convicted persons to evade custody even if they fail to meet bond. 

The second phase of the RRI will involve continuous review of sentences by Judges of the High Court to ensure that prisons do not become overburdened through overcrowding.