Eldoret Prison Inmates Start New Jobs in Cabro Block Production
Inmates at Eldoret Main Prison have started new jobs thanks to the official launch of a full-scale cabro block production unit inside the correctional facility.
This initiative is providing employment opportunities within the prison, giving inmates a chance to engage in meaningful work while serving their sentences.
The project is a collaboration between the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and local quarry businesses. It’s part of a wider effort to introduce industrial training into prisons so that inmates can learn valuable skills that will help them after their release.
The goal is to shift from simply punishing offenders to helping them rebuild their lives through rehabilitation and practical training.
Already, many prisoners have joined the programme, working daily to manufacture paving blocks. These blocks are not just stored but are already being put to good use in improving infrastructure within the prison compound, such as walkways and access roads.
According to prison officials, the project serves several purposes. It helps reduce idleness among inmates, teaches discipline through structured work, and prepares them for life outside prison by giving them skills that are useful in the construction industry.
“This initiative is aimed at empowering inmates with real-world skills in construction and paving, to support their reintegration into society through meaningful and marketable work,” said KPS in a statement.
Before starting work on the production line, each inmate goes through a basic training program. This includes lessons on construction techniques, safety protocols, and how to handle machinery. KPS believes that these newly acquired skills could increase the chances of the inmates finding employment once they complete their sentences.
The project is also helping the prison become more self-reliant by reducing its dependence on external contractors and resources. The paving blocks made by the inmates are being used to develop and improve the facility’s environment.
KPS praised the project, saying, “This effort is not only focused on building the prison’s infrastructure but also transforming the overall environment into a more productive space.”
This kind of programme isn’t new in Kenya. Prisons across the country have been shifting from strict punishment models toward more rehabilitative methods.
In the past, inmates have been trained in farming, carpentry, tailoring, furniture-making, and other vocational skills. The introduction of cabro block production adds a new branch to these correctional industry activities.
All of these programmes fall under the Kenya Prisons Service’s wider vocational and industrial training strategy. Their aim is to give inmates the tools they need to turn their lives around, while also encouraging discipline and reducing time spent in idleness.
Looking ahead, KPS has expressed plans to expand the cabro block initiative to other prisons across the country. However, they note that this will depend on available funding and training capacity.
Still, the success seen at Eldoret Main Prison is seen as a promising beginning and could serve as a model for similar projects in the future.
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