Gender-Responsive Programing in Kenya: Time is Ripe

Abstract

Globally, gender responsive programing has become a concern for researchers and practitioners alike. Such programs address issues that may hinder offenders’ reentry. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs that address the psychological needs of women prisoners in Kenya. The relational theory of women’s psychological development and the Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model were used to analyze inmate programs in Kenya’s 17 women’s prisons. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 350 participants within the prisons to ask about the programs offered. We found that there is a lack of gender responsive programming in Kenya’s women’s prison; and, the rehabilitation programs that are offered within the Kenyan prison system are not effectively addressing women offenders’ unique psychological needs which contributed to their criminal behaviors.