Kenya: Grace Anyango Odhiambo

From The Nation Media Group:

Mrs Grace Anyango Odhiambo exudes unmatched confidence as she takes a stroll in the Lang’ata Women’s prison corridors.

Mrs Odhiambo, the officer-in-charge of the prison, was last week honoured with the 2009 Outstanding Correctional Service Employee global award, an honour she says humbled her. “The inmates deserve humane conditions as well despite the past offences they have committed,” said the 45-year-old officer at the prison.

Her numerous projects at the prison are part of the thesis she defended as part of her Masters degree last year. Titled “The long-term effects on the incarceration of women offenders on the nuclear family”, the paper centred around providing favourable conditions for inmates to reduce their stress levels. In 2007 she received a State commendation, Order of the Golden Warrior, from President Kibaki for her leadership skills.