Isaac Ndegwa is a legal professional working with Justice Defenders in Kenya to build bridges in the adversarial system. Approaching the law as an act of service, he works with people currently in prison, especially with women and individuals needing more accessability rights, and has already helped change Kenyan law so that individuals with mental disabilities no longer serve indefinite sentences. Isaac's journey to a law degree is not your typical story. He began law classes, but then at 25 years old was arrested and senteced to 14 years in prison. Through the suggestion by a prison warden and sponsorship from Justice Defenders, Isaac was able to take classes and complete his law degree while incarcerated. In our first episode of Series 3 of Integrative Lawyers of the World we talk to Mr. Ndegwa about his difficult educational path to his career, its transformational affect on his desire to go from "big shot" lawyer to servant lawyer, the flaws in the justice system, and the ability each person has to make a positive impact from wherever they are. Learn more about Isaac and our other featured Integrative Lawyers of the World at https://www.integrativelaw.com/celebrating-and-showcasing-the-global-integrative-law-movement/ To support the Integrative Law Movement and effect positive change in our legal systems go to https://www.integrativelaw.com/financial-support-for-the-movement/ (supporters in the USA are able to make tax deductible donations thanks to our fiscal sponsor The Renaissance Lawyer Society https://renaissancelawyer.org/ ) If you appreciate the work of these legal changemakers and want to help us continue to share more stories, please like, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars on YouTube, Google, Spotify, iTunes, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and your favorite podcast platforms. Music for this podcast was created by Toby Leach. He may be contacted at: tobby.leach@gmail.com
Isaac in his own words:
"I am a 35 years old lawyer from the university of London courtesy of Justice Defenders. Young and naive, I was arrested at the age of 25 years and sentenced to serve a 14 years. My dream of becoming a lawyer vanished. I lost hope and I never thought I would ever become anything again.
Taking law classes prior to my arrest, my journey to become a lawyer was given back to me in a way that can only be described as a miracle when Justice Defenders through the University of London sponsored my law degree. I finally graduated in 2018. Unlike before, this time I had to do my law degree under very difficult circumstances in prison. The end goal for my degree also changed from being a ‘big shot’ lawyer to a lawyer who would change the lives of those who cannot represent themselves."
In this episode, we discuss:
His journey from wanting to be a “big shot” lawyer, to prison, to working with Justice Defenders
How Isaac felt the moment he was waiting for the judge to issue his sentence and the moment after the sentence was issued
Justice Defenders, a UK charity and US non-profit, that defends the defenseless, acts for a better world, practice as servant lawyers helping those in the margins of society, and builds bridges in the adversarial system. https://www.justice-defenders.org/about
Justice Defenders law school programs in prisons
Isaac’s law school classes where fellow inmates and prison wardens became classmates
The flaws in a system where “justice” varies depending on how much money you have
Some of Isaac’s cases with Justice Defenders
The ability for each person to make a positive impact from wherever they are – even from prison