Murderer Becomes Lawyer Fighting for Prison Reform

Ruth Kamande, serving a life sentence for murder, has earned a University of London LLB law degree and is now an advocate for legal reform within Kenya's prison system. Her personal journey, spurred by a desire to comprehend her own legal proceedings, has transformed into a mission to support other incarcerated women who lack adequate legal counsel.

Kamande actively assists fellow inmates by reviewing court statements, drafting arguments, and seeking legal recourse, demonstrating the urgent need for accessible legal aid. She contends that many women are imprisoned for petty offenses due to laws that criminalize poverty and survival acts, leading to prolonged pretrial detention due to inability to afford bail or representation.

Now a paralegal, Kamande is part of a working group advocating for policy changes. She questions the efficacy of life sentences as purely punitive measures, emphasizing rehabilitation over destruction. Her efforts aim to introduce definite terms for life sentences and establish clear parole conditions, seeking to redefine the purpose of incarceration.