Home
Renewing hope through Inter-Prisons World Cup
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/renewing-hope-through-inter-prisons-world-cup
Share
 
The URL has been copied
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/renewing-hope-through-inter-prisons-world-cup
Share
 
The URL has been copied
An event for inmates in Kenya is helping to cultivate enthusiasm in correctional facilities.

As Zabivaka the mascot continues to ignite passion among football fans attending the FIFA World cup in Russia, initiatives worldwide are being organised to plug into the social and commercial benefits brought about by the world’s biggest showpiece, notably the FIFA Foundation Festival.

At a time when negative perception towards incarcerated inmates continues to undo prison reform efforts in Kenya, sport has emerged as an instrumental mediator to inspire attitude change between communities and inmates with celebrations like International Prisons Justice Day set aside to demystify myths about people behind bars.

Count Me In Kenya can attest to the impact that football has played on inmates convicted for various crimes. Through their cooperation with Zebstrong, Modo’s Car Accessories, Kenyan Premier League players and their CEO, the Inter-Prisons Football League and other tournaments have continued to not only provide psychological relief but also act as an advocate for sports inclusion, an important ingredient necessary to facilitate resilience and access to justice.

The organisation is spearheading the Inter-Prisons 6v6 World Cup as a simulation of the ongoing 2018 World Cup where eight prisons such as Kamiti Maximum and Industrial Area Remand Prison have been mobilised to create and adopt 32 teams taking part in the 21st edition, such as Argentina. Three matches a day lasting 40 minutes are staged with the winning team set to lift a hardwood-made trophy resembling the official cup that was expertly sculptured by an inmate.

In its attempts to cultivate enthusiasm among inmates, the Inter-Prisons World Cup goes far beyond the precincts of the football pitch to critically provoke conversations about social reintegration. Rehabilitating prisoners and absorbing them as volunteers in their programmes is a “welcome back”  effort that has given them an opportunity to become perfect “Video Assistant Referees” to vulnerable youth likely to slide into social deviation. This strategy has been achieved by inviting community-based teams comprising youth at risk to play friendly matches with inmates.

While it harbours sporting ambitions to run a well structured Prison Premier League, the initiative’s successes present the need for a tactical shift for policy makers so that they develop legislations whose mechanisms will simplify completion of cases, reduce overcrowding in prisons, and embrace alternative judicial mechanisms, hence making access to formal legal justice systems a last resort.

  • View the photo book here 

 

Authors

Social Development through Football Organiser
Ona Ink