Justice Defenders recently held two special graduations for 47 individuals, some imprisoned and some free, who have taken the enormous step of transforming their lives by completing University of London LLB degrees. The University of London has been involved in programmes with Justice Defenders for ten years, and this is the second such graduation, with the first being held in 2019.
The graduation ceremonies at the end of November were held at Kamiti Prison in Kenya and Luzira Upper Prison in Uganda, under the theme “Unlikely Allies: Transforming Prisons, Communities, and Justice, from Within”. Of this year’s 47 graduates, 34 have lived experiences of incarceration, and 13 are prison officers.
Patricia McKellar, Dean, UG Laws at University of London, attended the graduations and expressed her admiration for the graduates who overcame immense odds to reach this point. “All students know how hard it can be to study, revise and research in order to pass your exams. Imagine the challenge to study while incarcerated in an African prison where access to books, the internet and other resources is drastically limited. To graduate under such conditions is an extraordinary achievement, so on behalf of everyone at the University of London, many congratulations,” she said.
Considering the despair that often overtakes prison inmates, it’s quite something to pick yourself up and see your way clear to studying such a rigorous course under such difficult conditions, but the graduates had strong motivation.
Canaan Nkamuhabwa, one of the Ugandan graduates, explained that he was sentenced to death without any due process. “I later found out that many on death row faced similar or worse injustice. I saw the programme as a chance to do something.” Now that he has his law degree, he aspires to become a full advocate of the High Court and be able to fully defend the poor and illiterate.
Morris Kaberia, a Kenyan graduate, explained that he started studying law because many people brought their witness statements to him to read and advise them. “I aspire to become an advocate and I am working towards that, having completed my Advocates Training Programme and currently going on with my pupillage to complete at the end of this year,” he said. Kaberia has already had a significant impact on reshaping Kenya’s legal landscape in the area of minimum sentences, with a case that opened the door to fairer individualised sentences.
Speaking about her motivation to pursue the University of London LLB degree, Priscilla Cherono said, “My main drive was as a result of the injustice that I suffered in the criminal justice system, spending nine years in remand, awaiting justice. I wouldn’t wish anyone else to suffer in the same predicament. I desire to use the knowledge I have gained to assist the less fortunate and defend the defenceless.”
Kenya’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Joseph Kariuki Mugatha, also graduated with a law degree. Speaking from the other side of the bars, he said he was driven by “a passion to assist the defenceless and bridge the gap that exists between the individual and the criminal justice system”.
Justice Defenders also recently celebrated a historic first for two of their previously incarcerated LLB graduates: Hamisi Mzari and William Okumu have both been admitted as advocates of the High Court of Kenya. Speaking in an earlier interview, Mzari pointed out that being in prison is not the end of your life but could be a stepping stone to a greater future outside prison. He acknowledged, however, that it was not easy. “People believed that once condemned as a criminal you will always be a criminal.” Now his life is a testimony to what he calls “radical integration”.
To watch the full Kenyan graduation, click here.