NAIROBI: A collaborative and integrated approach is essential to address the mental health challenges faced by staff and inmates in the nation’s correctional facilities, according to Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry. Speaking at the launch of Correctional Service Week 2024, Mvurya stressed the importance of mental health as a foundation for effective service delivery and the successful reintegration of inmates into society.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mvurya emphasized the need for a concerted effort involving healthcare providers, development partners, community-based organizations, and families to address the mental health challenges in correctional services. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health and wellness for both staff and inmates, noting that a healthy mind is crucial for genuine rehabilitation and effective service delivery.
Mvurya made these remarks at the Edge Convention in Nairobi, representing the Interior and National Administrat
ion Cabinet Secretary, who is also the Deputy President Designate, Prof. Kithure Kindiki. The theme for this year’s Correctional Service Week is “Mental Health and Wellness for Effective Service Delivery.”
The Cabinet Secretary pointed out that mental health and well-being are critical to the success of correctional services. He stressed the need to strengthen the resolve to prioritize mental wellness at every level of the correctional system, as stipulated in the National Guidelines on Mental Health and Wellness, which focus on prevention and nurturing emotional well-being.
Mvurya noted the significant challenges faced by those in correctional facilities, including stress, trauma, and violence among both staff and inmates. He explained that many incarcerated individuals are deeply affected by social determinants such as poverty, limited access to education, and lack of community support, which negatively impact their mental health.
The CS highlighted the urgent need to address the care of special needs of
fenders, particularly those with disabilities or unique mental health conditions, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring these individuals receive the care they deserve. He assured that there is a governmental commitment to cultivating a culture of promoting safe correctional spaces with responsive psychosocial support structures.
Mvurya expressed confidence that with the support of all stakeholders, a more resilient correctional system could be achieved, where mental wellness serves as a foundational bedrock for coping with stress, working effectively, and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.