Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has made new appointments to probation case committees in all the 47 counties in Kenya.
The committees will be chaired by the county commissioners at the headquarters, while in the sub-counties, the committees will be headed by the deputy county commissioner.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by rule 3(1) of the Probation of Offenders (Case Committee) Rules, Interior Ministry through the Principal Secretary. State Department for Correctional Services appoints to be members of Probation Case Committees in the respective areas," In a gazette notice dated April 1, and signed by CS Matiang'i read.
In addition to the chairperson, the committees also comprise seven members including c/node/8696, Police Commanders, and a religious leader in the locality.
According to the law, a probation officer stationed within the area in respect of which a committee is established shall be the secretary of the committee.
The committee examines and reviews the work of probation officers in relation to individual cases; receive and consider reports from probation officers; make or direct the making of any communication which it may be necessary to make to the court; to make or direct the making to the Central Probation Committee of recommendations concerning the probation service; advise and assist probation officers in the execution of their duties; and to ensure that probation officers perform their duties in a satisfactory manner.
The committee also holds a meeting for the transaction of general business at least once in every six months and at such other times as the chairman may direct.
Whatever decisions the committee makes, are by a majority of votes with the chairman having a casting as well as a deliberative vote.
Probation and After Care Service is a government department in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, State Department for Correctional Services.
The service also provides advisory reports to the court and other agencies for the purpose of determining bail and bond terms and for decision-making on the sentencing and release of offenders.
"We also supervise, resettle, reintegrate and rehabilitate offenders serving various non-custodial sentences in the community.
"In the management of offenders, we work with victims of crime and the public in ensuring public safety," the department's website discloses.
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