Socio-Economic Factors That Influence Recidivism in Kakamega County, Kenya

Recidivism is the relapse into criminal activity and is generally measured by a former prisoner’s return to prison for a new offence. The rate of recidivism in Kenya is estimated to be about two‐thirds, which means that two‐thirds of released inmates will be re‐incarcerated after their release from prisons. As a result of this, crime by former inmates alone account for a substantial share of the current and future crimes. From the trend in the high prevalence of recidivism in Kenya, there is a staggering high number of people being incarcerated and eventually released back to the community and the high risk of re-arrest and re-incarceration is a concern for policymakers, criminologists, and those involved in corrections. High rates of recidivism result in tremendous costs both in terms of public safety and in monies spent to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate re‐offenders. High rates of recidivism also lead to devastating social costs to the communities and families of offenders, as well as the personal costs to the offenders themselves. A sample of 146 respondents comprising male and female recidivists at Kakamega and Shikusa Prisons in Western Kenya were considered for the study. Research objective and hypothesis were formulated based on the study constructs. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents who were identified using purposive sampling technique. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed. Statistically quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between socio-economic factors and recidivism. This implied that socio-economic factors such as gender, age, level of education, employment status and housing influence the possibility of re-offending. Therefore the need to come up with working pre-release programs meant to enable inmates to have smooth transitions from correctional institutions to their communities by working with the offenders to develop plans, including housing, employment and participation in post-release programs. Keywords: Socio-Economic Factors, Recidivism, Prison

Challenges That Confront Offenders During Reentry Into Kenyan Communities

Over the last several years, the issue of prisoner reentry has dominated the corrections literature, which should not be surprising considering the volume of ex-inmates who are returning to our communities each year. As a direct result of this nation’s increased reliance on imprisonment as a response to criminal behavior, there are record numbers of individuals serving time in correctional facilities. Inmates face many challenges as they attempt to transition from the institution to the community. Securing suitable housing, finding employment, and addressing substance abuse and mental health problems present formidable obstacles to offenders as they attempt to reconnect with society.  At the same time, there is strong evidence to suggest that inmates are leaving confinement less prepared to face life in the community. As Petersilia (2001) noted, fewer programs, and a lack of incentives for inmates to participate in them, mean that fewer inmates leave prison having participated in programs to address work, education, and substance use deficiencies. One undeniable consequence of the imprisonment binge has been the release of record numbers of inmates, who have served longer sentences and are less prepared to face life in society. While these facts are in themselves concerning, prisoner reentry takes on a new level of significance when one considers the impact these returning inmates will have on their communities. As Travis et al. (2001) report, “nearly two-thirds of released prisoners are expected to be rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within three years of their release,” which “translate[s] into thousands of new victimizations each year.” While public safety concerns are paramount, the consequences of prisoner reentry are not limited to fears of re-offending. Given evidence from available research studies, the impact of prisoner reentry has far reaching consequences, a fact which has not escaped the attention of either policymakers or academics. Over the last several years, this issue has received considerable attention. At the same time, this issue has become the focal point for many researchers, which has both increased our awareness of the consequences of this phenomenon, as well as guided policy makers in the development of new programs. It is upon this backdrop that this study sought to investigate the challenges facing prisoners as they return to the community after serving their sentences. A sample of 146 respondents comprising male and female recidivists at Kakamega and Shikusa Prisons in western Kenya were considered for the study. Research objective and hypothesis were formulated based on the study constructs. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents who were identified using purposive sampling technique. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed. Statistically quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Study findings revealed that that offenders face challenges during reentry and the time spent in prison was a statistically significant predictor of the reentry experience of offenders. Keywords: Prisoner, re-entry, communit

Correlates of recidivism among released prisoners, a study of Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract in English, Venda and TsongaReleased prisoners in Kenya have a 75% likelihood of committing another crime and a 50% probability of going to jail two years after their discharge from prison custody. From the trend of recidivism in Kenya, there are a staggeringly high number of offenders being incarcerated and eventually released back to the community, and the high risk of re-arrest and reincarceration is a concern for policymakers, criminologists and correctional managers. This study examined the influence of offender characteristics, offender reintegration and community perception and attitude regarding recidivism in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study adopted a survey research design. Findings reveal a statistically significant relationship between offender characteristics and recidivism. In addition, offender reintegration and community perception and attitude towards offenders greatly influence recidivism. From the study, it is recommended that the government provide correctional officers with the required resources to use the actuarial risk assessment model. The model is applied to the released offenders to predict the future probability of recidivism. In addition, it is recommended that the government and the various correctional stakeholders come up with an integrated approach that specifically targets successful re-entry of offenders upon release from prison. Finally, it is recommended that the government develop programmes targeting awareness of the community members to desist from stigmatising ex-offenders.Vhafariwa vho vhofhololwaho ngei Kenya vha na khonadzeo ya 75% ya u ita vhuṅwe vhutshinyi na 50% ya khonadzeo ya u ya dzhele miṅwaha mivhili nga murahu ha u bva tshiṱokisini. U bva kha nzulele ya u tshinya fhafhu ngei Kenya, hu na u mangadza huhulwane ha tshivhalo tshi re nṱha tsha vhatshinyi vha re dzhele vhane vha fhedzisela vho vhofhololelwa murahu kha tshitshavha, khohakhombo khulwane ya u dovha u farwa hafhu na u valelwa hafhu dzhele zwi vhilaedzisa vhabveledzi vha mbekanyamaitele, vhaḓivhi vha zwa vhutshinyi na vhalanguli vha vhululamisi. Ngudo i ṱola ṱhuṱhuwedzo ya zwiṱaluli zwa mutshinyi, mbuedzedzo ya mutshinyi na zwine tshitshavha tsha mudzhiisa zwone na vhuvha zwi tshi ya kha u tshinya hafhu kha Dzingu ḽa Kakamega, Kenya. Ngudo yo shumisa tsedzuluso ya pulane yo dzudzanywaho ya ṱhoḓisiso. Mawanwa o dzumbulula tshivhalo tsha vhushaka ha ndeme vhukati ha zwiṱaluli zwa mutshinyi na u tshinya hafhu. U ḓadzisa khazwenezwo, mbuedzedzo y mutshinyi na zwine tshitshavha tsha mudzhiisa zwone na vhuvha zwi tshi ya kha vhatshinyi zwi ṱuṱuwedza nga huhulu u tshinya hafhu. U bva kha ngudo, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso u ṋetshedze vhaofisiri vha ndulamiso zwiko zwine zwa ṱoḓea u shumisa tshiedziso tsha u ṱola khohakhombo tsha vhukuma. Tshiedziso tshi shumiswa u vhofholola vhafariwa u humbulela khonadzeo ya vhumatshelo ya u tshinyahafhu. U ḓadzisa kha zwenezwo, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso na vhadzhiamukovhe vho fhambanaho vha vhululamisi vha ḓe na kuitele kwo ṱanganelaho kwo livhiswaho tshoṱhe kha u dzhena hafhu ha vhatshinyi musi vha tshi tou bva dzhele. Tsha u fhedzisela, hu themendelwa uri muvhuso u bveledzise mbekanyamushumo dzo livhiswaho kha u tsivhudza miraḓo ya tshitshavha u sa i sa phanḓa na u fara vhatshinyi vha kale nga nḓila i si yavhuḓi.Vakhotsiwa lava tshunxiwaka eKenya va na 75% wa ntolovelo wa leswo va nga endla vugevenga byin’wana na 50% ta nkoteko wa ku ya ejele nakambe endzhaku ka ku tshunxiwa ka vona ejele. Kusuka eka ntolovelo wa ku vuyelela ku endla vugevenga nakambe eKenya, ku na nhlayo ya le henhla hindlela yo hlamarisa ya vaonhi lava va nga eku pfaleriweni ekhotsweni naswona endzhaku ka swona va tshunxiwa ku vuyela eka tindhawu ta vaaki, naswona ku na nxungeto wa le henhla wa ku khomiwa nakambe na ku pfaleriwa ekhotsweni nakambe hi vuntshwa, leswi i xivileriso eka vaendlatipholisi, vativi hi swa vugevenga na vafambisi va makhotso. Ndzavisisadyondzo lowu wu kambele nhlohlotelo wa swihlawulekisi swa vaonhi, ku hlanganisa nakambe vaonhi na vanhu eka tindhawu ta vaakandhawu na mavonelo na maehleketelo ya vaakandhawu hi mayelana na ku vuyelela ka swigevenga ku endla vugevenga eka Xifundza xa Kakamega, eKenya. Ndzavisisadyondzo lowu wu tirhise dizayini ya ndzavisiso wa mbalango ku nga survey research design. Leswi kumiweke swi paluxe vuxaka bya le henhla hindlela ya tinhlayonhlayo exikarhi ka swihlawulekisi swa vaonhi na vuyelelo bya ku endla vugevenga nakambe. Na le henhla ka sweswo, ku hlanganisa hi vuntshwa vaonhi na vaakandhawu nakambe hi vuntshwa na mavonelo na maehleketelo ya vaakandhawu eka vaonhi swi hlohlotela swinene vuyelelo bya ku endla vugevenga nakambe. Kusuka eka ndzavisisadyondzo, ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo wu nyika vaofisiri va makhotso swipfuno leswi lavekaka ku tirhisa modlolo wa nhlahluvo wa nxungeto wa xiakichuwari ku nga actuarial risk assessment model. Modlolo lowu wu tirhisiwa eka vaonhi lava tshunxiweke ku vhumba nkoteko wa nkarhi lowu taka wa vuyelelo bya vugevenga nakambe. Ku tlhela nakambe ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo na vakhomaxiave va makhotso vo hambanahambana va va na endlelo leri hlanganisiweke leri kongomisiwaka ngopfungopfu ku humeleka kahle ka ku vuyela ka vaonhi eka tindhawu ta vaaki loko vaonhi va tshunxiwa ekhotsweni. Xo hetelela, ku bumabumeriwa leswaku mfumo wu endla minongonoko leyi kongomisiweke eka vulemukisi bya vaakandhawu leswaku va tshika ku nyenyemuka khale ka vaonhi lava a va khotsiwile.Corrections ManagementPh. D. (Criminal Justice

An Evaluation of Factors Influencing Perception of Job Satisfaction among Police Officers in Kenya

Many observers believe that men and women bring to policing differences in attitude, values and perceptions that influence the way they do their work. Female police officers have been assumed to have greater commitment to public service, more calming and reassuring demeanours, and less violent encounters with citizens (Bell 1982), and others have recently argued that the inclusion of women in policing is particularly relevant to the current emphasis on community policing and the Nyumba Kumi initiatives in Kenya. More directly, Wilson (1991) asserts that not only should there be more women police, but that there also should be room for women's perspectives on what policing ought to be (which assumes that such perspectives already exist among women, if not yet among women police officer). Studies have shown that differing socialization experiences of males and females incline men and women to adopt differing perspectives on justice for men, predominantly a morality of justice, and for women, predominantly a morality of care. For many, this perspective has become a starting point for much of the debate on criminal justice administration including policing (Jack & Jack 1989; Menkel-Meadow & Diamond 1991; Wilson 1991). Extrapolations from this theory have led to the assumption that men and women differ in their conception of the police role, with men concentrating on law enforcement and women likely to perceive the role more broadly as service and community oriented. It has also been suggested that men may be more at ease than women with the rules, hierarchy and discipline of police organizations (Worden, 1993). There is little empirical work in the literature confirming the suggested differences between male and female officers' perceptions, attitudes or behaviours, but this recent study in Western Kenya supports the beliefs about differences between male and female police officers that observers such as Bell (1982) espouse. Keywords: Perceptions, Job Satisfaction, Police Officer

Challenges Facing Female Police Officers in Service Delivery in Kenya

The importance of effective diversity management in policing has only relatively recently been the subject of close academic scrutiny. Earlier researches largely focused on operational performance issues and matters such as the capability of female officers have continued to attract research attention. Researchers have examined the role of women in policing since the 1970s. Much of this research has focused on the abilities of police women, while other studies have focused on the unique problems that women face in this traditionally male dominated field. In particular, women as a group have historically faced opposition to their entry into the profession. Research in both the United States and Europe indicates that police forces experienced a great deal of conflict when first allowing women entry into the field. In addition, this research suggests that opposition continues to the present day, where female officers experience resistance from both male officers and some sections of the public. The resistance manifests itself in sexual harassment, gender discrimination in assignments and promotion, and a general lack of concern for integrating women into police departments. Research on issues concerning equal employment opportunities, sexual harassment, deployment and bullying has only come to the fore in more recent years.  This leaves unanswered questions about the relative impact of various issues affecting women police officers in Kenya generally, hence the need for this study. Keywords: Challenges, Women Police Officers, Service Deliver