Effectiveness of Interventions for Rehabilitation Of Offenders at Shikusa Main Prison, Kakamega county, Kenya

Abstract

Rehabilitation interventions aim to identify existing problems so that offenders' behaviours can be altered to equip them with capabilities, skills and opportunities to enable them become law abiding and self-supporting members of society. Research however, indicates that reoffending risk is highest few months after release from custody. Reoffending in Kenya is increasing despite prisons having interventions for rehabilitating offenders into society. This would mean waste of scarce resources used in prisons. The study therefore, aimed to investigate effectiveness of interventions in rehabilitating offenders at Shikusa Main Prison in Kakamega County. Specific objectives were to: examine perception of offenders on the rehabilitation interventions, investigate challenges limiting offenders' rehabilitation, and determine the role ofNGOs in facilitating offenders' rehabilitation. The study was guided by social learning theory by Bandura (1977), which is premised on (he idea that people learn socially through observation, imitation and modelling. The study adopted cross-sectional research design which is best suited to studies for finding out the occurrence of an issue at a particular time. Study population comprised of 623 offenders Quantitative data were obtained using structured questionnaires from 244 respondents. Respondents were sampled basing on Yamane's (1967) formula as cited by Israel (1992) end selected using simple random sampling. Five key informants including one teacher, social welfare officer, two spiritual workers, an administrator and three FGD discussants selected using purposive sampling provided qualitative data. Qualitative data were collected using Key Informant Interview (KII) and FGD guides. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and findings presented using tables and charts, Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented using verbatim quotations. Study findings revealed 50.0 % of respondents believed rehabilitation interventions in prison were useful. Some of the challenges identified include non-commitment by prison administration (55.2 %) to rehabilitation process and lack of secondary education in prison as identified by 50.0% of respondents, therefore offenders with prior basic education could not benefit. Finally 72.6 % of respondents believed NGOs' .help did not benefit all offenders as it was insufficient implying thac majority of offenders did not benefit from it. The study recommends that rehabilitation programmes be designed basing on each prisoner's criminogenic needs, offenders be allowed to regularly attend trainings and prisons to increase collaboration with NGOs so as to increase help to prisoners more. Study findings are hoped to contribute to knowledge which could be helpful to Prisons in policy recommendation in programming interventions regarding offenders.