Leakages In Incarceration Contributing To High Recidivisms Rates In Kenya: A Case Study Of Narok G.K Prison

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main objective of the study was to investigate leakages in incarceration contributing to high recidivisms rate in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to examine whether social factors leakages contributes to high recidivism rate in Narok G.K Prison, to find out whether economic factors leakages contributes to high recidivism rate in Narok G.K Prison and to determine whether environmental factors leakages contributes to high recidivism rate in Narok G.K Prison. The study findings if utilized provides more comprehensive understanding of the leakages of incarceration for instance, re-entry process which in turn may enable correctional agencies to better assist offenders in their adjustment to life outside of prison by increasing positive adjustment which may yield to low recidivism rates. The study utilized descriptive research design where the target population was Narok GK. Prison and the sample size was 55 respondents. The analysis of data was by use of descriptive methods and presented in frequency tables, pie charts and percentages. The findings on environmental leakages revealed that incarceration environment is itself the breeding place for anti-social and immoral behaviours such as drug abuse, thus instead of reformation which is the mandate of imprisonment as sentencing, the offender acquire new culture of crime which they have to strive to sustain when they are released leading to reoffending in order either sustain it or go back to prison where they can get it easily. The uniformity of training programme that in not in line with the currently job market such as technology adoption have contributed significantly to the un-employability of ex-convicts. The findings on economic leakages revealed that the amount the offender can earn through utilization of the gained skill is insufficient for day to day survival and this has contributed significantly to the inclination to reoffending in order to survive. The findings on social leakages revealed that stigmatization being the initial barrier for all returning prisoners as they end up being labelled ex-convicted by the society contribute significantly to their mental stability as they feel they are met to be offending and nothing good can come from ex-convict thus they often more than not live to the label. The offenders who have positive family relationship prior and while in prison lowers recidivism rates as they are often visited and encouraged while negative family relationships leads to higher rate of recidivism. The study recommends that the GK prisons should adopt and stay up to date on technology by developing mechanisms for measuring, tracking and responding to changes within the external environment which may be consequential to the significance of the training being offered in the prisons rehabilitation centres. Hence the realization of reformation will be attained as the rehabilitated offenders will be able to adapt to job market as their chances of employability will be high.