EFFECTS OF CUSTODIAL SENTENCE ON RECIDIVISM AT SHIMO LA TEWA PRISONS IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA
Obadia Tinega Nyariki - Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Egerton University, Kenya
Eric K. Bor (PhD) - Lecturer, Department of Peace, Security & Social Studies, Egerton University, Kenya
Beatrice Onsarigo - Lecturer, Department of Peace, Security & Social Studies, Egerton University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The focus of this study was to establish the effects of custodial sentence on recidivism at Shimo la Tewa prisons in Mombasa County, Kenya. Specifically this study analyzed the social factors, prison rehabilitation programmes and the influence of time spent in prison on recidivism. This study was motivated by the fact that despite the growing emphasis on rehabilitation of convicts, the rate of successful reintegration back to society has been very low. This study therefore endeavoured to establish whether custodial sentence predispose convicts to become non-conforming members of society moments after release. The specific objective of this study was to assess how social factors influence recidivism, to establish how prison rehabilitation programmes influence recidivism and to examine how time spent in prison influence recidivism. The study was guided by two theories; deterrence theory and rehabilitation theory. The study limited itself to three prison facilities with different administrational structure in Mombasa County namely; Shimo la Tewa Maximum, Shimo la Tewa Women’s and Shimo la Tewa Medium prisons. Explanatory sequential mixed method research design was used since the study sought to examine how various variables influence recidivism. Purposive and stratified sampling technique was applied to select respondents for this study. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores and simple regression analysis by the use of SPSS software. Qualitative data from interview schedules was analysed through thematic analysis and a verbatim report. This study has established that education level, employment status after release, family composition and type of family background, rehabilitation programmes offered and time spent in prison significantly influenced recidivism among re-offenders incarcerated at Shimo la Tewa prisons. Consequently, a correlation was established between the level of education attained by the respondents and the type of crime committed. Furthermore, the study established that most respondents did not go beyond primary level education and the common crimes committed by the recidivists at the facilities were robbery, drug trafficking and defilement. The recidivists felt that if they had attained high level of education they would have better opportunities and have had a stable income and engaged in better practices. About a half indicated that their level of education forced them to resort to crime as a suitable alternative. In terms of policy, this study recommends that prison authorities emphasize on mandatory attendance of inmates to academic training offered in prison as education is seen as the single best predictor for employability and empowering individuals, thus if stressed reduces recidivism immensely. More so, in terms of policy prisons should reassess rehabilitation programmes offered to fit the specific and individual needs of inmates as prisons are seen as criminogenic and breeding grounds for more recidivists if such measures will not be reached. Given the rise of recidivism bred in Kenya prisons, this study is of the view that further study be done to cover a wider area to enhance generalization on all prisons across the country.
