Prisons To Provide Quality Education to Children of Imprisoned Mothers
Following the implementation of a prison childcare policy, children of imprisoned mothers will soon have a better quality of life.
The policy, announced last week by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, directs the Kenya Prisons Service to provide quality care for children of imprisoned mothers.
CS Matiang’i stated during the policy’s launch at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru that the policy prioritizes the growth and development of children aged zero to four years.
He stated that the policy includes provisions for children to receive standard Early Childhood Development Education.
“The policy will address shortcomings to give children accompanying imprisoned mothers, equal opportunities as those in normal learning institutions,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between the responsible state departments in the Ministries of Interior and Education to ensure the policy’s success.
The Africa Early Childhood Network conducted a study on the well-being of children in women’s prisons last year.
They discovered that over 200 children aged four and under were born in prison or were too young to be separated from their mothers who were serving sentences.
“Kenyan prisons face a slew of challenges, including a lack of funds to provide clothing, medication, food, and bedding, according to the study.
The majority of female penal facilities, according to Winnie Guchu, Interior Chief Administrative Secretary, lack sleeping spaces for children, functional day-care centers, and pre-primary education facilities.
She said, about ten of the 43 facilities have daycare centers and nurseries, and those that do not have seen women become innovative for the sake of the children.
Prisons To Provide Quality Education to Children of Imprisoned Mothers
According to a Clean Start Kenya study, inadequate nutrition for breastfeeding mothers in prison halts health risks to their babies.
“Prison meals lack adequate nutritional value for exclusive breastfeeding until a child turns one year old,” they said.
According to the Ministry of Health, malnutrition accounts for 45 percent of all deaths among children under the age of five, while poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices account for 19 percent of deaths.
According to the Kenya Prisons Service, mothers are allowed to have their children until they reach the age of four, at which point they must be integrated back into the community.
AfCEN sponsored the development of the Childcare Policy and advocated for lowering the statutory age at which children can leave prison in order for them to receive better nurturing outside of prison.
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When dealing with children, AfCEN stated there should be child-friendly psychosocial support with a trauma-focused approach, such as giving them art and play therapy to help them adjust to prison.
The children should have a social life in prison, including celebrating birthdays and family reunions according to AfCEN.
Prisons To Provide Quality Education to Children of Imprisoned Mothers