Kamiti inmates acquire fundamental computer skills

As the government plans to roll out computer programs in primary schools, more than 150 inmates from the Kamiti Maximum Prison and 40 prison officers graduated with fundamental computer skills meant to assist them as they reintegrate into a tech-savvy world, and assist the prison officers in doing their work.

According to Lawrence Mwanzia, who is serving a five-year sentence in the prison, the skills will enable him secure employment and feed his family once he has paid his debt to society.

Wilson Kinyua, who has served 18 years of his lifetime sentence, said that the skills he earned during the training would help him perform other academic duties as he pursues his law degree.

Most of the courses offered to inmates require computer skills and the initiative by Zetech University in conjunction with the Kamiti Prison is expected to come in handy as the inmates do their assignments.

Wilson, who is pursuing his law degree, expressed hope that the inmates and prison officers will take advantage of the program.

On her part, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Winnie Keriri said that apart from basic education programs offered to inmates, computer skills were necessary.

Keriri urged Zetech University to develop a computer studies degree program for inmates.

Kamiti Prison Warden, Henry Kisingu, assured the public that despite the inmates being exposed to the Internet, security is high as qualified IT experts monitor the inmates’ search history.

Speaking at the event, Zetech University Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Edward Wamukoya, said the university’s aim was to impart the inmates with computer skills as the world requires computer literate people.

The VC added that the program, which started in 2012, would spread to other correction facilities in other parts of the country.

Report by James Gitonga