Abstract:
ABSTRACT This study set to find out the impact of prison reforms on the inmate rehabilitation programs in Kenya. It took a case study of Lang’ata prison. Kenya prisons service is reported to have undertaken reforms since the year 2007. However, no study has been undertaken to ascertain the impact of the reforms on the rehabilitation programs. The objectives of this study were to determine the existing rehabilitation programs in Kenya Prisons Service, to establish the reforms which have taken place, the impact of the reforms and suggested reforms. The literature review covered the inmate rehabilitation programs, prison reforms, their impact on programs and suggested reforms. The review covered cases from the global level, Africa and Kenya. The research applied Differential Opportunity theory, the psychoanalytic theory and the differential Association theory to guide the study. The research site was Lang’ata Women prison. A total of 20 respondents were interviewed which included 20 inmates of whom 5 were recidivists. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative research methods through use of questionnaire, interviews and observations. Data analysis applied the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) most specifically descriptive statistics. Some of the key findings include the following; there is rehabilitation programs existing within the prison service; reforms which have taken place, though appreciated by stakeholders, they are minimal and the department needs to put more efforts to realize a good spirit which has been noted. The study concludes that prison reforms are about changing the prison institution and its practices. It is expected that prisoners’ behavior would change after reforms have been undertaken. This implies that after a prisoner has completed serving his/her imprisonment term, he or she becomes a law-abiding citizen through non-involvement in crime which is a true measure for rehabilitation. Therefore, the beneficiaries of the study will be the inmates since they will be able to engage in useful and legal activities after successful rehabilitation programs since through the finding the government and other stakeholders will not be reluctant to employ reforms suggested to curb recidivism hence make the society safe for the citizens.
