This article explores the economic transformation of prison labour in Kenya, focusing on the State Department for Correctional Services’ initiative to enhance self-sufficiency through modern farming, skills training, and technology. It examines the cost-effectiveness of infrastructure investments, the ethical debates surrounding prison labour, and the potential of public–private partnerships (PPPs) to drive rehabilitation and revenue generation. Drawing on public data and face-to-face interviews with key informants, including correctional officials and economic advisors, the study provides a framework for aligning correctional reforms with national development goals while addressing labour ethics.
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