In Kenya, too many children and young people—especially those living and working on the streets—are criminalized instead of protected. Minor offenses like loitering, vagrancy, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can land vulnerable youth behind bars, often without access to legal representation or due process.

At Glad’s House Kenya, we believe that children in conflict with the law deserve care, not punishment. Our Juvenile Justice and Prisons Program exists to challenge systemic injustice, support children and young people in detention, and advocate for a child-centered justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over incarceration.

What We Do

1. Legal Support & Case Follow-Up
   We provide legal aid, court support, and case monitoring to ensure that children in conflict with the law receive fair treatment, timely hearings, and are not wrongfully or unnecessarily detained. Our team works closely with government institutions, police, lawyers, and families to safeguard children’s rights.
2. In-Prison Support & Advocacy
   For youth held in remand homes and prisons, we offer psychosocial support, mentorship, basic necessities, and access to education or vocational training while in custody. We also advocate for improved prison conditions, alternatives to detention, and the humane treatment of incarcerated children and young people.
3. Reintegration & Follow-Up
   Once released, we don’t stop caring. We support young people as they transition back into the community through counseling, family mediation, education opportunities, and, when necessary, placement in safe, supportive environments. We help them rebuild their lives, avoid reoffending, and re-enter society with dignity.
4. Systems Change & Policy Advocacy
   We work to influence justice policy at both local and national levels — pushing for alternatives to detention, diversion programs, restorative justice approaches, and stronger child protection systems. Our goal is a justice system that treats children as children, not criminals.

Why It Matters

Children and youth in the justice system are among the most marginalized and forgotten. Many are imprisoned not because of what they’ve done, but because of who they are — poor, homeless, or misunderstood. The trauma of incarceration only deepens their vulnerability.

Our Juvenile Justice and Prisons Program aims to break this cycle, showing young people that they are not defined by their mistakes, and that their lives have value, purpose, and potential.

Because justice for children is not just about the law — it’s about fairness, dignity, and a second chance.