Good Friday, 2003 brought me a new understanding of the Passion of Jesus, as on that day I visited Nairobi West Men’s Prison for the first time. Seeing more than four hundred men – from teenagers to aged, all in a crouched position and in an orderly arrangement in the yard, as they awaited our visit and the ‘Easter treat’ of half a loaf of bread and a half litre of milk that we brought, is a memory that is still very much alive for me.

The Easter and Christmas treats have continued since then and we also visit monthly and give each man a bar of soap and a toilet roll, since these and other basic needs are not supplied by the authorities and most prisoners rarely see family members, who might bring them such things. We are able to do this worthwhile work through funds from a parish in Austria initially and now through those of family and friends in Ireland, which are channelled through our Projects Office.

These men are not big criminals; in fact all are serving less than three years. It is a well established fact that close to half of them are probably innocent of any crime but were unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and because they cannot afford legal aid they just accept their lot and make the most of it. I admit they are a really challenge to me at times as I wonder, are not many of them more free than I am! Where are most prisoners to be found, inside prison walls or without?

Sr. Sally Mounsey

Our Visiting Team usually consists of Robert, a past pupil of our Mukuru school and Residential Home, whom we helped through college and is now a Surveyor; Patricia, a business lady and Lilian and Agnes, temporary professed members of our community, who join us whenever possible. Each visit on a Saturday afternoon begins with prayer and some words of encouragement from each team member. The men then come one by one and with a handshake are given the items. We believe and have been told by the Staff and the men that this small human exchange lifts their spirits for several days. Their gratitude is most humbling and I for one come away from each visit with a deep awareness of my being the beneficiary.

It has been heartening, over the past years to see great improvements in the prison compound. A new stone chapel built mainly by the Consolata Fathers was recently blessed and slowly by slowly the mud dormitories have been replaced by stone ones. Very significant also, is the ‘open door’ system which the government has introduced, whereby contact with families in encouraged and non-governmental and charitable organisations are very much welcomed. The appointment of a lady Administrator of the prisons (a first in Kenya and which has since been replicated in other men’s prisons) and the appointment of a full-time Human Rights Officer have had a huge impact on the men and the place.

It is also very heartening for us when some former prisoners approach us to express their gratitude for what we did for them on those visits. I’m thinking especially of Hilary, who contacted me to let me know he had got a job as a taxi driver, after serving two years. There’s also Kenyatta whom I occasionally meet coming from Sunday Mass in the parish Church and is so eager to share a word about how he is now coping with life.

In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Provincial Team, for the support of this ministry and the many Sisters in Ireland who have contributed financially and through their prayers, so that we may keep Mercy alive and continue to give hope to the men in Nairobi West Prison.

 

Sally Mounsey rsm
Kenyan Province