CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE PRISONERS My website, I can say, it is my superpower in my business… It helps me meet new clients online everywhere in Kenya. I learnt so many things through Change Hub. I was introduced to HTML, CSS and Javascript. For my website I coded everything myself. Participant in the Change Hub programme (see Promising Practice below) PROMISING PRACTICE: Access to technology for women prisoners in Kenya The Change Hub Innovation Centre is a technology-focused rehabilitation programme for women prisoners at Langata women’s prison in Nairobi, Kenya, which teaches women coding, web design, computer hardware maintenance and 3D printing. The programme is designed to help women access the increasingly technology-based economy on their release. Before the introduction of the Change Hub programme, most courses available to women in Langata prison were limited to those traditionally seen as appropriate, such as sewing and tailoring. The classes were set up in 2016 and are taught by university graduates. Participants in the programme attend classes three times a week and have the opportunity to be paid The programme was designed to counter teaching assistants for the next group of gender stereotyping in training and students. The participants are also building education opportunities for women in prison, a website for Change Hub. and to give women the opportunity to work in the field of technology. Sentence length Because of the nature of their offences, women often serve very short or very long sentences,41 both of which pose particular challenges when it comes to rehabilitation.42 Rehabilitation programmes and work opportunities for prisoners with short sentences are usually limited or non-existent, often being considered a waste of valuable resources and a practical and administrative burden. Prison staff have also noted that it can be difficult to understand and address the needs of those serving short sentences. Prisoners serving short sentences may themselves lack motivation and feel that it is not worth their time to embark on a training or education course in prison. Many female prisoners serving short sentences are not given adequate opportunities to participate in education and training programmes. However, there are many ways to design rehabilitation programmes for prisoners serving short sentences, so that they are better prepared for employment after their release. CONTEXT: Rehabilitation for prisoners serving short sentences In order to make rehabilitation programmes available to prisoners serving short sentences, prison administrations can: education after release, including modular or unit-based courses that help prisoners gain credits for continuing education. • Ensure that educational options are flexible • Shorten or adapt existing courses to tailor and varied for prisoners serving both longthem for the needs of prisoners serving short and short-term sentences. sentences. 16 | • Assess prisoners serving short sentences for their formal and non-formal education experience and attainment. • Make use of new technologies or e-learning to overcome the lack of continuity for prisoners serving short sentences. • Introduce short-term educational activities that can pave the way for continued • Make use of short-term motivational activities such as music, drama and art courses. Penal Reform International and Thailand Institute of Justice | Guide to the rehabilitation and social reintegration of women prisoners