42 remand prisoners from Murang’a prison have graduated as paralegals.
The remandees have attained the powers after taking a course in Law for six months.
The training was provided by Rodi international under the program Pre-trial Detainee Justice and Life skills
Speaking to The Star, the firm’s deputy director Esther Bett said the course is aimed at empowering the suspects to argue their cases in court with little help from legal experts.
She said that many suspects lose trials unfairly as they are ignorant of the law.
The course which covers laws on sexual offenses, assault, cyber crime and criminal justice has been initiated in 13 prisons across Kenya.
As paralegals, the suspects will have an understanding of the law to ensure they get just and fair trials.
A qualified paralegal in normal circumstances, serves as an assistant to an attorney and performs such tasks as research among other duties under supervision.
He or she does not, however, practice law like advocates or lawyers do.
