• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Prison Officer Warn Students against Crime in a Mentorship Programme

Sep 16, 2022 #Crime, #News
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A Nakuru-based senior prison officer has cut his niche in a voluntary mentorship programme that targets high school students.

George Odera has been touring various secondary schools countrywide to enlighten young people on the importance of observing various aspects of the laws.

Odera has used his free time such as weekends and leave days to visit over 300 schools most of which have recorded exemplary performance in both academics and discipline in general.

God Kado High school in Homabay county for instance, which had rampant cases of indiscipline and frequent strikes has seen tremendous improvement in academics.

“Before God Kado had cases of in discipline and poor performance but the talk brought a positive impact,” Josphine Ondieki the principal of Kado High School told Taarifa New.

Odera whose career spans to more than 15 years in the Pris Service, started his mentorship programme in 2015 after noticing that about 75% of those incarcerated were youthful offenders between the ages of 17 and 25 years.

“Most of the prisoners are young people who are ignorant of the law. The mentorship programme hahaseen a change in behavior among thousands of youngsters,” Odera said.

According to Odera most of the crimes that the young people commit largely stem from indiscipline-related cases.

He cites arson, loitering, abuse of drugs, assault, stealing, robbery, defilement, and murder as some of the charges that the young people are indicted for.

“Loitering, abuse of drugs, assault, stealing, robbery, defilement and murder are indiscipline cases that can be avoided if we enlighten young people about the dire consequences of indulging in such vices”, he explains.

To make it more impactful, George has joined hands with reformed ex-convicts who share their jail term experience with the students.

Mildred Shimambo Mwende, 28 who was convicted in prison for ten years due to manslaughter, usually tells how her irresponsible action landed her in jail.

“I was accused of killing a man that I got into a relationship with while I was still in secondary school,” Shimambo said.

“That man impregnated me and then abdicated his responsibility. He abandoned me and the child,” Shimambo said.

Mwende says she regrets her actions and wishes that she could reverse the clock and listen to her teachers’ advice.

“They say ignorance has no defense. We do sort of things thinking that we know it all, only to face the wrath of our actions later,” Mwende concluded.

George feels motivated by the positive change that he contributes to the larger society. He has met several students who proudly tell him how they gained from the talks.

However, despite the good report card from the talks, Odera feels limited in terms of time. He has to strike a balance between his work and the mentorship programme.

“I only use weekends and when on leave and sometimes I fail to get enough time,” Odera said.

Among the schools Odera has visited include Kisumu Boys, Menengai High School, Kitale Boys and Sironga Girls. He also has a number of schools lined up for his visits this term.

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