Multi-Factorial Dynamics and Criminal Recidivism in Munzenze Prison, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Loading...
Date
2024-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Many countries around the world are confronted with the challenge of recidivism.
Recidivism has become a global phenomenon that challenges the efficiency of both
criminal justice systems and security systems. One of the most important measures of
the efficiency of prison programs is the reduction of recidivism rate. Meant to
rehabilitate convicts, prisons play an important role within the criminal justice. By
exploring multi-factorial dynamics of criminal recidivism in Munzenze prison, this
study is a package of knowledge and solution on personal, institutional, and societal
risk factors of criminal recidivism in Munzenze prison. The following objectives
guided this study; to investigate personal factors that influence criminal recidivism in
Munzenze prison; to examine institutional factors contributing to criminal relapse of
offenders in Munzenze prison, and to interrogate societal factors contributing to
criminal recidivism in Munzenze prison. The study was guided by reformation theory
of punishment to analyze institutional factors which may cause recidivism, labeling
theory of crime to explain societal factors that may be responsible recidivism, and
social learning theory to analyze individual factors. This study adopted Exploratory
Sequential design using mixed method approach. The target population consisted of
1089 recidivists in Munzenze Prison, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The
target population also included prison officers, religious leaders and civil actors. A
sample of 100 recidivists was drawn for questionnaires and focus group discussions,
while prison officers, religious leaders and civil actors participated as key informants.
Questionnaires, focus group discussions guides, and key informant interviews
schedules were used as data collection instruments. Qualitative data was thematically
analyzed using content analysis and presented as quoted verbatim. While quantitative
data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using percentages, tables,
average and mean, and pie charts. The study found that institutional, societal and
individual factors played a critical role in recidivism. The study concluded that lack of
prison rehabilitation program in Munzenze, unemployment, ineffective reintegration
and stigmatization were important determinants of recidivism. Additionally, the study
recommends addressing the institutional, societal and individual issues that fuel
recidivism. As a result, this study offers important new insights into the complex
problem of criminal recidivism in Munzenze prison and offers a strategy for
overcoming this urgent issue. It also emphasizes the crucial role that rehabilitation
and societal support play in ending the cycle of repeat offending.
Description
A Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Security Management and Policing Studies. June, 2024
Supervisor
George Oyombra