More than 30 inmates serving non-custodial sentences in Nanyuki, Laikipia County have been sensitised on mental health.
Senior Probation officer Winfred Wanjiru attached to Nanyuki probation office said those sensitised were serving jail terms of less than three years and had committed petty offences including narcotic use, stealing and assault.
She said rehabilitation and reintegration of the offenders to the community was important at the correctional facilities and hence need to raise awareness on mental health among the inmates.
Wanjiru said a strategy to ensure the probation and prisons in the country work harmoniously for easy and seamless reintegration of the prisoners back into society is being developed.
The training comes in the wake of Correctional Service Week normally commemorated on October 22 annually.
Nanyuki-based mental health counsellor Grace Mwaniki urged the inmates to speak up and seek help from people they trust when they encounter challenges aimed at preventing them from committing crimes.
She said stress was triggered by economic hardships, unemployment and illness and resulted in people committing heinous acts hence being jailed.
‘’Speak up when you have problems. If you accumulate stress, it could lead to depression and you can easily cause harm. Seek help from someone you trust,” she said.
The counsellor said stress had forced people to develop suicidal thoughts or be vengeful to those who wronged them.
‘’Human beings remember bad deeds and that can lead to committing crimes. Do not despise yourself but rather accept who you are and ask for forgiveness from those you wronged,” Mwaniki said.
Additionally, they were urged to engage in economic generating activities to uplift their lives.
Non-custodial sentences are granted through the court process to inmates who have proven change of behaviour.
It is also a move to decongest prisons in the country.
However, the gravity of the offences, history, character of the offender and community protection are taken into account.