The justice system, while designed to uphold law and order, often exacerbates family disintegration and deepens cycles of poverty. Women and children, in particular, face heightened vulnerability, with global incarceration rates for women and girls surging by 53% between 2000 and 2016 (Walmsley, 2017). Kenya reflects this troubling trend, where many offences committed by women are closely tied to economic hardships and survival needs.

At Justice Nest , we believe in a justice system that restores rather than punishes. Our programs tackle the root causes of incarceration , offering legal support, rehabilitation, and reintegration opportunities to help individuals rebuild their lives. Through our Children and Mothers Diversion and Restorative Justice Program (Mending the Nest), we work to prevent the imprisonment of mothers and children by addressing poverty, trauma, and social inequalities . By providing pro bono legal aid, counseling, life skills training, and economic empowerment , we keep families together and ensure that children are protected from the long-term consequences of parental incarceration.

For those already within the prison system, our Prison Paralegal Program (Bridging the Justice Gap) equips inmates and prison officers with legal education to improve access to justice . By training paralegals within prisons, we enable incarcerated individuals to advocate for themselves and assist fellow inmates with legal matters , ensuring fairer trials and reducing prison congestion. Through peer-to-peer legal aid and strategic partnerships , we empower those behind bars to challenge systemic injustices and navigate the legal system effectively . At Justice Nest , we believe that justice should restore, not destroy. By diverting mothers and children from prison and enhancing legal literacy in correctional facilities, we work toward a future where justice serves as a tool for empowerment, healing, and transformation .

This program aims to break the cycle of incarceration by diverting mothers and children from the justice system and focusing on their rehabilitation. Through holistic support—including legal representation, mentorship, life skills training, and reintegration services—we address root causes of offending, such as poverty or trauma. Our goal is to empower families to build brighter futures, free from the stigma of incarceration, and create a justice system that prioritizes care and restoration over punishment.

Objective: Divert mothers and children from the criminal justice system.

• Legal Representation:

  Providing pro bono legal aid to mothers and children to ensure fair treatment and prevent unnecessary incarceration.

• Restorative Support:

  Addressing the root causes of legal conflict through counseling, economic empowerment, and rehabilitation for mothers, in partnership with trusted community providers.

• Child-Centric Interventions:

  Offering life skills training, psychosocial support, and alternative pathways that prioritize the well-being of children and prevent further entanglement with the justice system, in partnership with trusted community providers.

This initiative bridges the justice gap by providing legal education and training paralegals within Kenyan prisons. These paralegals offer critical legal services to the incarcerated, ensuring access to justice for individuals and addressing systemic injustices through strategic litigation. Building on prior successes, the program expands the reach of justice to prisons across Kenya.

• Paralegal Training:

  Educating inmates and prison officers on legal processes, rights, and advocacy skills.

  •  Educating inmates and prison officers on legal processes, rights, and advocacy skills.
  •  Increased legal literacy among inmates.
  •  Improved legal outcomes and fair judgements.
  •  Decongest prisons by fast-tracking cases.
  •  Avoid stigma.
• Peer-to-Peer Legal Aid:

  Enabling trained paralegals to assist those inmates with legal matters supervised by qualified lawyers.

• Collaboration & Partnerships:

  Working with prison officials to ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness.

• Collaboration with Authorities:

  Working with prison officials to ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness.