REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES AND RECIDIVISM BY CRIMINAL OFFENDERS IN NAKURU MAIN PRISON, KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study sought to examine rehabilitation programs and recidivism by criminal offenders in Nakuru main prison, Kenya. The specific objectives were to: assess individual sociodemographic factors contributing to criminal relapse of offenders, to identify the types of rehabilitation programs available in Nakuru Main Prison, to assess the correctional factors resulting to offender relapse and to assess community level factors influencing recidivism. Social learning and routine activities theories guided the study. A Cross sectional study was conducted which took a random sample of a target population of recidivist both prisoners and those on trial. Respondents were given questionnaires, interviewed, and engaged to take part in focus group discussions to gather primary data. Secondary data was collected from the prison’s records at the documentation office to understand the number of persons with previous incarceration history. Thematic analysis was used to assess qualitative data while SPSS was used for quantitative analysis. To present the facts, tables, graphs, charts, and text were employed. The sample size was 106, with 10 prison officers serving as key informants and 96 repeat offenders with prior criminal records. Prison officers were subjected to a stratified random sampling procedure. Findings revealed that Pretrial detainees are not engaged through the programs yet they recommit other offences once discharged while on trial. The study concluded that holistic approach in addressing recidivism be employed by the prisons and recommended a multi-stakeholder approach in revisiting the available programs, seek review to address both restorative and rehabilitative processes.