Insider knowledge: the African prisoners graduating with Law Degrees from University of London

Almost 50 prisoners and ex-prisoners received their awards in the ceremonies, which took place on 26 November 2024 at Kamiti Maximum Prison in Kenya and 28 November 2024 at Luzira Upper Prison in Uganda. The ceremonies were attended by up to 300 guests, including senior government ministers.

Priscilla Cherono, one of the graduates, shares her motivation for pursuing the University of London Law degree while incarcerated. She said: “My main drive was as a result of the injustice that I suffered in the criminal justice system spending nine years in remand, awaiting justice. I wouldn't wish anyone else to suffer in the same predicament. I desire to use the knowledge I have gained to assist the less fortunate and defend the defenceless.”

The University of London has a proud history of providing access to education for the incarcerated, Nelson Mandela being a famous example. The UG Laws team has been working with Justice Defenders (formerly the African Prisons Project) to provide access opportunities to inmates to study for University of London qualifications since 2010 and to this end have provided learning materials, academic visits, some bursaries and other subventions on the costs of study.

Patricia McKellar, Dean, UG Laws at University of London, who attended the graduations, said:

“All students know how hard it can be to study, revise and research in order to pass your exams. Imagine the challenge to study while incarcerated in an African prison where access to books, the internet and other resources is drastically limited. To graduate under such conditions is an extraordinary achievement, so on behalf of everyone at the University of London, many congratulations.”