CNN journalist Anderson Cooper has produced a documentary about Thika Main Prison, highlighting a stark mismatch between the facility’s capacity and its actual population.

Designed to hold roughly 500 inmates, the prison currently houses about 900 people, resulting in severe overcrowding and poor living conditions.

Many prisoners lack access to legal representation; they often wait for years before securing an attorney and being brought before a judge, which delays the resolution of their cases.

In response to these challenges, an organization called Justice Defenders, operates inside Thika Main Prison as well as other correctional facilities across Kenya and Uganda.

The group provides free paralegal training to inmates, aiming to empower them with basic legal knowledge.

In some instances, Justice Defenders supports both prisoners and prison staff in pursuing law degrees, equipping them to assist others within the system and to present their arguments effectively in court.

The documentary underscores how overcrowding not only strains resources but also hampers prisoners’ rights to a fair and timely legal process.

By offering educational opportunities and direct legal support, Justice Defenders seeks to bridge the gap between the overwhelmed prison system and the constitutional guarantee of due process.

The film brings attention to the need for systemic reforms, including increased funding for legal aid, improved prison infrastructure, and broader implementation of programs that promote legal literacy among inmates and staff.