Philemon: A Two Minute Lowdown
Background
In September 1995 a Kenyan High Court judge described Kenya’s prisons as “death chambers” due to inmate mortality rates. Despite changes in government and some reforms, violations of basic human rights in prisons continue.
In 2004, Amnesty International reported that an estimated 50,000 plus prisoners were held in the country’s 92 prisons (intended capacity: 19,000). According to Amnesty, the lack of basic health, nutrition and sanitation borders on cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Over recent years, efforts have been made to address this, but progress has been slow.
Limited resources and chronic overcrowding mean that attempts at rehabilitation are limited, and little support is provided to prisoners once they are released. Inmates, who may spend more than two decades in prison, can suddenly find themselves on busy streets in towns or cities. With no accommodation, money and or government support, many prisoners face family rejection and are never accepted back into their home communities.
This lack of support means that many have little opportunity to change their lifestyles and they often return to crime to survive – in many cases returning to the prisons they recently left. All this occurs in a system in which wrongful convictions or lengthy remand periods are common.
Philemon’s Origins
Philemon was founded by Kelvin Mwikya, an ex-prisoner. When he was released after four years in prison following wrongful conviction, he had nowhere to sleep. Eventually after finding work, he heroically used his humble wages to buy toilet paper and soap to take back into the prisons to prevent bibles being used as toilet paper.
So began the Philemon Foundation.
Kelvin is now our Director, ensuring that Philemon remains faithful to his vision to empower and rehabilitate prisoners and ex-prisoners.
What We Do
Because of the unique relationship Kelvin has with the Kenyan prison authorities, Philemon can engage in a wide range of activities.
Philemon:
- started the first ever half-way homes in Kenya, in Nairobi and now in Mombasa;
- provides educational, emotional, spiritual and vocational training in prisons and to former prisoners;
- arranges visits to more than 90 prisons across the country;
- hosts fellowship meetings for Christian prisoners;
- brings violations of basic human rights to the attention of the Kenyan government; and
- participates in policy reform initiatives with respect to prison conditions, probation, community service orders and prison aftercare services.
As a result of the work, Tearfund have recently accepted Kelvin onto its Inspired Individuals programme, and he is fast becoming a speaker at international Christian events.
The half-way homes welcome prisoners who have nowhere to go on release from prison. The homes operate a six month aftercare programme of counselling, study, discipleship and vocational training, to help residents become productive, reintegrated members of society.
This work has been spotlighted by Kenyan media (Citizen TV, K24, Daily Standard, and Daily Nation) - even the Kenyan Commissioner of Prisons supports the project!
In 2009, the Nairobi halfway house saw 15 residents graduate bringing the total of former residents to 59. The aim of the homes is to break the cycle of re-offending and encourage residents to grow emotionally, vocationally and spiritually. Indeed, graduating residents stand a much better chance of reintegration into society, obtaining jobs and reconnecting with family. Philemon has also run workshops on carpentry and business development, helping former prisoners gain work experience and hone skills learnt in prison. Philemon partners with local churches and Christian organisations to encourage ex-prisoners and provide spiritual support for them.
Philemon runs extensive programmes in Kenyan prisons: in 2009, Philemon teams visited 22 prisons, distributing supplies, literature, and spiritual materials. Making around 10 visits per month, Philemon has impacted over 13,000 prisoners during 2009, receiving clothes, toiletries and training. This year 700 have make a commitment to faith through their engagement with Philemon. Many have also formed part of the fellowship groups or came to stay at one of the half way homes.
Restorative justice courses have been run for 60 death row prisoners, 80 children of prisoners were educated, seven separate prison discipleship classes ran and a permanent educational centre was established at Athi River Prison.
Support
Philemon has a number of high profile supporters, including Kenyan Director of Probation, Jeremy Oloo; Commissioner of Prisons, Isaiah Osugo; and Kenyan Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
Kelvin has now been made an appointee of the Vice President of Kenya, allowing him unprecedented access to the policy and decision making of the Kenyan government. Many prisoners and ex-offenders have been, and will be, impacted by his involvement in and encouragement of policy and legislative reform of the prison and legal systems in Kenya.
Former UK Attorney General Lord Goldsmith also visited the Philemon halfway house on 21 November 2006. Kelvin's story is reported as having made a strong impression on Lord Goldsmith and he commented that it was a very humbling testimony to hear.
How to Help
You can read about the latest updates at Kenya Update October 2011
You can give once or regularly, at our Just Giving page.
Support our fundraising, by coming to the Philemon Swing Fling.
If You Pray... you can see our Prayer Page.
