JUST JAIL ME, ONLY LET ME READ!

Information is power, as these inmates at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison know only too well. A former inmate at the reform facility, Joel Mwangi, has expressed his desire to return to jail to pursue higher education.


By MACHARIA MWANGI
December 14 2009

Ex-prisoner has his fingers crossed as he awaits verdict on plea over schooling
The ex-prisoner approached the prison gates with a peculiar request — to be re-admitted into prison.

At first, Naivasha Maximum Security Prison authorities thought it was a sick joke, but the reality is finally dawning on them. They are now grappling with how to deal with the rare appeal from Joel Mwangi, 33.

Mr Mwangi, with four other former inmates, are willing to walk back to jail — not to serve fresh terms, but to pursue studies, which they did not finish after completing their jail terms.

Mr Mwangi had been sentenced to one-year by a Naivasha court for a minor offence in 2001. Immediately after conviction, he was thrown into a spin.

“I thought all my dreams had hit a dead end, and I was depressed. But I decided to accept the inevitable,” he recalls.

He was first taken to Annex Prison next to the main jail where he was assigned kitchen duties. “I was a sweeper, a task I found totally boring. Keeping the dining hall clean was eating into my confidence,” he said.

Soon he, requested to be transferred to the Maximum Prison to pursue higher education, a plea that a senior officer willingly acceded to. He began by studying business calculations but before he could finish, Mr Mwangi was freed following a Presidential Amnesty after serving only six months.

“By the time I was released, I was already booked for the exam,” he said.

He returned and sat the exam, scoring impressive grades. For the former part-time secondary school teacher; the certificate was a big boost.

They teamed up with another inmate, Bonaventure Mtalii, and helped to establish the secondary school section at the penal institution.

“Few inmates were willing to take up studies, but we were determined,” says Mr Mwangi. The pioneer teacher taught mathematics.

He was soon to realise the certificate he acquired was not enough to secure him a well-paying job. After more than eight years since leaving prison, Mr Mwangi found the going getting tough and could only secure contractual jobs.

“My potential employers have been categorical that I must attain a diploma,” he says.

Motivational speaker

He toyed with ideas on how to improve his grades, but the cash was his main undoing.
“I finally settled on returning to jail where studying was for free,” he confesses.

Mr Mwangi who doubles up as motivational speaker could not think of committing a crime to land back into jail. It would set a bad precedent.

He decided to visit the local probation office and ask for help. But they, too, were taken aback by the request.

“The call was unusual, and we had to consult the relevant authorities,” said district probation officer Jane Wairimu Mwenja.

But early in the week, Mr Mwangi decided to pay visit to his former abode and express his desire to the local Prisons boss, Mr Patrick Mwenda.

And the return was nostalgic. Former inmates were at hand to welcome back a jovial Mr Mwangi. He seemed at home in prison.

His former tutor and inmate, Mtalii, could not hide his joy. The reunion was emotional as other inmates unaware of what was happening, watched from a distance. The warm hugs and pleasantries told it all. Momentarily, Mr Mwangi felt as if his wish had been granted.

The attentive Mr Mwangi was in for more surprises. A former inmate Justin Tony Mabuka had secured an A- in the 2008 KCSE. His dream of starting the secondary section was finally paying off.

Mr Mwenda, the prison boss, was unsure of what to make of it. Maybe prison was the place to be.

“I have never in my career witnessed such a phenomenon. Few people who have been jailed would dream, let alone imagine, returning to prison under whatever capacity,” said the prison boss.

The unfolding scenario was like a script from a movie.

But Mr Mwenda too was categorical about Mr Mwangi’s wish.

“Currently, we have no such provision within the Prisons Department. But we are greatly humbled by your request,” he told him.

He promised to consult further on the issue. However, Mr Mwenda cited a programme in Canada known as Halfway Home, where inmates spend their time within the prison quarters after being released.

“If we had such a programme maybe Mr Mwangi could have benefited from it,” the prison boss said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwangi is soldiering on, hopeful that his request will be looked into. He is now engrossed in his training programme as an accomplished athlete.

He is the national 100 meters champion in the T-46 category. He beat a classy field to emerge the winner during national trials held at Kasarani.

But with no qualified coach, Mr Mwangi has been conducting his own training and hopes to join a team in the near future.

“I have what it takes to be the next Usain Bolt in the T-46 category,” he boasts.

Mr Mwangi lost the use of his right hand after he was involved in an accident while driving in a family car at the age of 12, but the father of two is ready to pick up the pieces and excel both in academics and athletics.

After the interview, it was crystal clear that Mr Mwangi has his future cut out, if only his extraordinary petition is granted. He is keeping his fingers crossed.

READERS' COMMENTS

Submitted by Jabalaulia
Posted December 15, 2009 03:02 PM

It just goes to say that Kenyans only need basic necessities to life. Food, shelter, clothing and basic education. The 'new constitution' is not one of the needs. It is just a political carrot that has been dangled on Wanjiku for far too long. It needs to be deleted from our list of priorities! This will help us concentrate on what is actually ailing Kenya.

Submitted by samgaita
Posted December 15, 2009 11:36 AM

Finally, we have tangible evidence that reforms can bring desired change. Mr Mwangi, never say die!!

Submitted by THESTARNCYDAN
Posted December 15, 2009 09:18 AM

So, do we have to start sendig our kids to jail, when we cannot afford education out here? Just Wondering

Submitted by burtonmaina
Posted December 15, 2009 01:33 AM

best of luck Mwangi. prison is not necessarily persecution. good ob on reforming

Submitted by werssylwer
Posted December 15, 2009 01:10 AM

Stories like this make me stop and think long and hard about the good people of kenya. Why cant a person like this be able to get a Govt education grant to pursue his studies? What we hear now is how bureaucrats at the ministry of education have stolen 6b meant for poor primary school kids!!

Submitted by comprah
Posted December 15, 2009 12:31 AM

When I read a story (Prison Monger) by Hama Tuma about Matteos Gudu, I thought is was just that, a story. Matteos would deliberately commit crimes so he could be jailed.In fact when a at one point judge set him free, Matteos Gudu hulled insults to ensure that he was sentenced to prison. Is this a living example of Matteos Gudu?