Impacting young inmates though sports

Context

An audit of the Criminal Justice System in Kenya suggested that an average of around 5000 people are held in various police stations annually (National Council on the administration of justice, 2017). Prison Conditions in Kenya have for a long time been characterised by overcrowding, congestion, poor diet, degrading clothing and bedding, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and infectious diseases amongst other challenges (Omboto Onyango,2013).

In the face of this situation, Angaza Sports and Development Centre is committed to supporting prisoners’ condition through the use of sport. With the motto “Play football, be informed, stay healthy”, the ASDC project’s main objective is to educate and raise awareness among adolescents through football practice and various educational play-based movement games.

Goals

• Establish a conducive environment for both the prisoners and prison wardens. The project further focuses on the equality and inclusion of young inmates in key prisons in Kenya and remand homes
• Promote equality and inclusion through annual prison Olympic Games
• Promote active citizenship and living together of inmates through football and volleyball league/tournaments
• Strengthen capacity through workshops on football and volleyball coaching
• Educate young prisoners and prison wardens on mental health issues, harmful use of alcohol, drug and substance abuse, crime, hygiene and sanitation, and infectious disease

Activities

• Prison Olympics Games with one main event focusing on Paris 2024 Olympic Games
• Football and volleyball league/tournaments
• Workshops on football and volleyball coaching
• Education and awareness programs focusing on mental health, infectious diseases, hygiene and sanitation, crime, harmful use of alcohol, drug and substance abuse
• Inmates reintegration programs

 Impacts

• 3,920 direct beneficiaries of the project
• Young inmates will improve their psychological, physical, environmental and social conditions
• Inmates will adjust better to their social environment, this is essential for achieving rehabilitative objectives
• Young inmates will develop wellbeing, inclusion, equality, active citizenship, acceptance and social skills

Photo credit : Angaza Sports and Development Centre